The US ban cited unacceptable national security risks and the fulfilment of requirements from the Secure Equipment Act of 2021 to prevent new devices from these companies from entering the American market. Brussels' potential action comes as the EU revamps its security and technology policy by reconsidering its dependence on both major US tech companies and Chinese "high-risk" suppliers.

For example, more than 90% of solar panels installed in the EU are made in China.Some industry officials also point to the lack of viable alternatives, given that the EU must simultaneously reduce its reliance on both Chinese and US suppliers. The European Union is reportedly planning to propose phasing out Chinese-made equipment from critical infrastructure in the region.

Europe now appears ready to follow a similar path in restricting Chinese technology companies from its critical systems.What is the EU’s cybersecurity proposal and what changes it may bringThe report cited people familiar with the matter to say that the EU's cybersecurity proposal, to be presented soon, is expected to make the existing voluntary system that restricts or excludes high-risk vendors from their networks mandatory for EU countries.

TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. As member states are responsible for national security, the proposed timelines are likely to face resistance from some European capitals.The proposal could pose challenges for EU lobby groups, such as SolarPower Europe, the solar industry body of which Huawei is a member, due to its production of inverters used in solar panels, the report notes.What China stated about EU’s plans to ban Huawei and ZTE products for critical infrastructureIn November 2025, China stated that the European Commission's push to phase out the use of Huawei and ZTE technology would violate “market principles and the rules of fair competition”.“Facts have demonstrated that in a handful of countries, the removal of Chinese telecom companies' quality and secure equipment not only handicaps their domestic technological development but also results in heavy financial losses,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated at that time.About the AuthorTOI Tech DeskThe TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India.

If the proposal is accepted, it is expected to bar companies like Huawei and ZTE from telecommunications networks, solar energy systems, and security scanners across the EU, a Financial Times report claimed, citing officials. Previous recommendations have reportedly been unevenly followed, with several European countries continuing to rely on such "high-risk" suppliers.

Last year, Spain signed a €12 million contract with Huawei to provide the hardware to store wiretaps authorised by judges for law enforcement and intelligence services.“Fragmented national solutions have proven insufficient to achieve marketwide trust and coordination,” stated an earlier draft of the proposed Cybersecurity Act, which is still subject to change.The proposal follows increased EU efforts to curb Chinese participation in critical European industries.

Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaPhotostories‘Sheila Ki Jawani’, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, ‘Baby Doll’: Bollywood item songs that broke the internet with their zany lyricsRanbir Kapoor's ‘Badtameez Dil’ to Nora Fatehi's 'Dilbar': Iconic dance steps from Bollywood songs everyone still tries to copyFrom Mrunal Thakur's 'Do Deewane Sehar Mein' to Preity Zinta's 'Kal Ho Naa Ho': Meet Bollywood's queens who won hearts with geeky looksFrom Smriti Irani to Amar Upadhyay: How much the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi star cast earns per episode12 traditional dishes that are must-try in KochiTop shows to binge-watch this week on Prime VideosKobe Bryant's inspirational quotes for childrenAncient Devi Mantras as per Your Birth DateTamil Nadu temples get a lift: Preserving history, beating floodsHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Mushroom Galouti Kebabs for evening snacking123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordJEE Main 2026Oskar Sundqvist InjuryAndrew CallaghanAtlanta Braves RumorsRoger FedererKlay ThomponJohn Harbaughs WifeBengaluru WeatherDC Robert SalehTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn SectionEntire WebsitePwC’s global chairman Mohamed Kande to CEOs: More than 50% companies are getting nothing out of their AI investments; so don't forget the …Quote of the day by Elon Musk: "Really pay attention to negative feedback and solicit it, particularly from…"Donald Trump’s Davos 2026 speech LIVE: Know date, time, venue, and streaming detailsWhy Oracle employees are 'refusing' to move to the company's Nashville office despite that founder Larry Ellison calls 'center of Oracle's future'Report claims 'caught Bill Gates lie' on climate; claims Gates Foundation's millions of dollar investments in …Palmer Luckey who Mark Zuckerberg fired after acquiring his company for $2 billion on layoffs at Meta: Feel bad for the people impacted, but …CMF Headphone Pro goes on sale in India: Price, launch offers, specifications and moreRead the full interview that got engineer Sulaiman Khan Ghori ‘fired’ from Elon Musk's xAI in less than a yearElon Musk launches poll asking if he should buy Ryanair after clash with CEO Michael O’LearyGoogle exec ‘calls out’ the No.

as per the FT report, some EU officials are worried that these Chinese suppliers could be used to collect sensitive data from European networks and infrastructure.Earlier, the US designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats and restricted their use in government-funded networks before implementing the broader 2022 ban.

The European Commission has now launched investigations into train manufacturers and wind turbine makers, and in 2024, raided the European offices of security equipment company Nuctech.The exact timeline for the phaseout would depend on the assessed risk posed by the vendor to the EU and the specific sector, the officials said.

The proposed timelines would also take costs and the availability of alternative suppliers into account. However, telecom operators in particular have warned about the impact on consumer prices of a direct ban.After the commission presents its proposal, the draft law is expected to be negotiated with the European Parliament and the EU member states.