The Intelligence from The Economist Trust issues: Huawei’s radical plan
Sep 12, 2019
Samaya Keynes, U.S. economics editor for The Economist, dives into Huawei's controversial strategies amid U.S.-China tensions. She discusses the tech giant's radical plan to potentially sell off its 5G assets and the cultural clash explored in the documentary 'American Factory.' The impact of worker unrest, safety issues, and the push for unionization in Chinese-run American factories are also examined. Furthermore, Keynes highlights innovative protest tactics using drones, raising intriguing questions about their future in activism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Interview at Huawei HQ
- Economist journalists interviewed Ren Zhengfei, Huawei's founder, at the company's headquarters.
- The opulent setting, inspired by European art and history, included a replica of the Parthenon and a photograph of the Battle of Waterloo.
Trust in Global Trade
- Huawei's conflict with the US reflects a broader issue of declining trust in global high-tech trade.
- Countries hesitate to trade sensitive technologies like medical devices, aircraft chips, and advanced telecommunications due to this lack of trust.
Huawei's Radical Proposal
- Ren Zhengfei proposed licensing all of Huawei's 5G technology, including software, hardware, and intellectual property, to a Western company.
- This radical solution aims to address US security concerns and potentially reset global trade relations.
