US, UK leaders talk telecoms security ahead of 5G decision

Trump pushes allies to ban Huawei

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Donald Trump have discussed the security of telecommunications networks as the U.K. prepares to decide whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to build aspects of its new high-speed mobile network.

The United States is pushing Britain and other allies to ban Huawei from making parts of its 5G network. The American administration claims it would be a security risk — something Huawei vehemently denies.

President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, speak to the media before a working breakfast meeting at the Hotel du Palais on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France.. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times, Pool, File (Erin Schaff/The New York Times, Pool, File)

74% OF AMERICANS THINK HUAWEI SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM US: POLL

Cooperation to ensure the security of telecommunications networks was discussed in a phone call between the two leaders on Friday, the British government said in a statement amid reports that U.K. officials have backed the firm to play a role.

Britain's National Security Council is widely expected to make its decision next week.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

In this May 29, 2019, file photo, a man uses his smartphone outside of a shop selling Huawei products at a shopping mall in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

ANTI-5G GROUP PLANS GLOBAL PROTEST

Huawei is the world’s biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies. But it has faced rising scrutiny over U.S. allegations that it could be forced by the Chinese government to provide access to consumer data on its networks.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.K. Treasury chief Sajid Javid are expected to discuss the matter this weekend. Mnuchin is stopping in the U.K. following four-day World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland.

READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS BY CLICKING HERE