"Huawei is a globally important company whose presence in the UK reflects our reputation as a global hub for technology, innovation and design," an NCSC spokesman said. "This government and British telecoms operators work with Huawei at home and abroad to ensure the UK can continue to benefit from new technology while managing cyber security risks." Last week, six top US intelligence officials warned a Senate committee about buying Huawei smartphones, while US senators have introduced a bill which would ban Huawei smartphones from use by government officials, but industry analysts have accused it of stoking fears to enable protectionism. UK companies recently signed £3bn worth of contracts with the technology giant, during Theresa May’s trade visit to China. Mobile industry experts expect Huawei to significantly increase its marketing push in Europe after a US deal to sell Huawei phones with AT&T fell through. Political fears about Huawei have mainly existed in the US, although in 2013 the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee published a report on the company's influence. While it has only recently started to market smartphones in the UK and Europe, such has the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, the company has worked with clients such as BT and supplied telecoms material for more than a decade.
The UK government has shrugged off US concerns about Chinese technology firm Huawei, with the National Cyber Security Centre saying it would "continue to benefit" from its relationship with the company. Huawei operates a cybersecurity hub and works alongside UK spies. US intelligence chiefs recently warned the Chinese manufacturer's phones are a cybersecurity risk and senators are attempting to pass legislation banning their use by government employees.