US economy

Huawei: the path from its founding to claims of criminality


Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei © Bloomberg

1987

Huawei founded by Ren Zhengfei, a former army engineer

1998

Skycom established as agent for Huawei products

July 2007

An individual identified by a DoJ indictment as “the founder” of Huawei tells the FBI that Huawei was not in violation of US export sanctions against Iran. The indictment was published on January 28 2019

October 2012

A US congressional panel warns that Huawei and ZTE pose a security threat to the US

2012-2013

News reports claim Huawei owned and operated Skycom, which Huawei denied

2013

Huawei China launches a bonus programme that rewards Huawei employees who pass on confidential information taken from competitors, according to the indictment

August 2013

Meng Wanzhou, daughter of founder Mr Ren, tells an unidentified financial institution that Huawei operates in Iran in compliance with UN, US and EU laws, according to the DoJ indictment

2012-2013

News reports say Huawei operates Skycom as an unofficial affiliate in Iran; Ms Meng is on the board. According to the indictment, Ms Meng and other employees lie to banks about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom

June 2018

The US refuses to renew the export licence of Futurewei, Huawei’s Silicon Valley research and development unit

June 2018

Huawei’s Mate 20 smartphone © Reuters

Huawei overtakes Apple to become the world’s second-biggest seller of smartphones

August 22 2018

A New York court issues a warrant for the arrest of Ms Meng, Huawei’s chief financial officer

December 1

Canadian authorities arrest Ms Meng at Vancouver airport while she is en route to Mexico, following an extradition request from the US

December 10

Chinese authorities arrest two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor

December 11

Meng Wanzho arrives at a parole office in Vancouver © AP

Ms Meng is released on $10m bail

January 28 2019

FBI director Christopher Wray announces the indictment against Huawei © Bloomberg

The US justice department releases an indictment detailing alleged technology theft, sanctions breaches, lies to banks and conspiracy. The DoJ presses for the extradition of Meng to the US. Huawei denies the allegations and the Chinese government dismisses the claims as a misuse of state power



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