Unreasonable restrictions infringe on its rights: Huawei responds to US ban

Huawei on Thursday responded to United States' ban on the Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment saying it was "unreasonable restriction" by the US.

The Chinese firm also hit out at the US claiming that the restriction would not make it more secure or stronger; instead, will only serve to limit the US to inferior and expensive alternatives

"Restricting Huawei from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger; instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives. In addition, unreasonable restrictions will infringe upon Huawei's rights and raise other serious legal issues," the telecom giant said in a statement.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk.

The order paved the way for a ban on doing business with China's Huawei Technologies Co.

The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.

The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks.

(With inputs from agencies)