It is no secret that the feud between former president Donald Trump, his administration, and Chinese technology company Huawei has been a long-standing and well-publicized issue. Trump’s vision was to hinder Huawei’s progress and, in doing so, protect America’s technological presidency. Therefore, he attempted to bring forth a Huawei killer.
However, the reality of the situation saw Trump leaving office without the successful formation of this strong rival. That void left behind is now being addressed by President Biden, who has taken up the task where Trump left off, with the intention of bringing Trump’s dream to fruition.
Trump’s stand against Huawei was fueled by geopolitical tension and cybersecurity issues, with suspicions of espionage leveled at the tech giant. This led to the initiation of a trade war which left many casualties in its wake, including Huawei itself. Trump’s mission was to diminish Huawei’s prevalence and pave the way for a new American entity that stood unrivalled.
The current administration under President Biden might have a different tone than that of his predecessor, but the goal remains the same. The Biden administration understands the importance of the issue at hand. The US needs its local 5G Champion to grow unencumbered and establish itself as a leader in the competitive technology market.
The Biden administration is actively pursuing this goal with a more conciliatory approach, focusing not only on containing Huawei but on strengthening America’s technology pipeline. They are aimed at promoting research and development, supporting chip manufacturing, and advocating for policy changes that favor technological growth.
A testament to this shift in approach was the introduction of the CHIPS Act and the Endless Frontiers Act. These acts aim to motivate semiconductor manufacturing and innovation in the United States, a sector that the country had traditionally led but has recently seen fierce competition from China and other Asian economies. Provisions in these acts promise huge investments into this market with hopes it will trigger a wave of technological innovation.
The Biden administration is committed to reviving partnerships with the nation’s allies. This aspect cannot be ignored due to America’s allies being key to the successful implementation of any plan that sets out to halt Huawei’s dominance.
Strategically, this would also undermine Huawei’s strategy of consolidating its presence in countries not under the sway of the United States, thereby incapacitating its capabilities across the globe. The rekindling of the relationships with allies will play a great role in the US’s success in this endeavor.
The task at hand is complex and multifaceted, requiring a robust approach that includes nurturing homegrown technology, building alliances, and fostering innovation. The Biden administration, however, appears up to the task, showing signs of understanding the requirements, and signaling a willingness to take its plan into action.
The journey towards crowning an American Huawei if you would, isn’t without its hurdles. Issues such as the effects of the trade war on chip shortages and the continued resistance from Huawei are only some of the roadblocks. However, with the measures the Biden administration has instated, as well as their maintained focus and a clear direction, the US looks poised to unleash a Huawei killer and command dominance on the international tech scene.