ZTE is a major supplier of telecoms networks and smartphones based in southern China. Photo: AFPHong Kong:Chinese telecommunications company ZTE has halted its main operations after US authorities cut off its access to American suppliers as President Donald Trump steps up pressure over trade and technology issues with Beijing. “Major operating activities of the company have ceased” as a result of the US Commerce Department “denial order” issued last month, ZTE said in a statement issued late Wednesday. The Commerce Department has imposed a seven-year sales ban on ZTE in a case involving exports of telecom gear to Iran and North Korea. ZTE, a major supplier of telecoms networks and smartphones based in southern China, earlier said the ban threatened its existence by choking off access to US suppliers of key technology and components like microchips.

Source: Mint May 10, 2018 07:41 UTC