Huawei issues statement in response to Android ban, puts on a brave face

Huawei has put on a brave public face in response to the calamitous decision by the Trump administration to place it on its list of banned companies that US corporations are forbidden from doing business with. In its first statement since the ramifications of the ban took effect, which has seen Google revoke Huawei’s Android licence and parts suppliers like Qualcomm immediately halting supply of chips and other components, the company has pledged to support its customers. This includes continuing both security updates and after sales support for its products, particularly its small base of official US customers.

Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.

Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally.

We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.

Although the company hasn’t directly addressed the full ramifications of the ruling, it is clear that Huawei has no plans to go out without a fight. It has a alternative operating system that it could deploy on future devices, while it also manufactures key components including the CPUs and modems in its devices. In the meantime, it will be desperately hoping that a compromise can be found similar to the one that saw ZTE given a lifeline after it looked like it was going to be permanently put of business by a similar Trump administration ruling.