Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday spoke out in defence of Chinese mobile equipment manufacturer Huawei, which the United States has blacklisted.
“Huawei is not only being sidelined but blatantly squeezed out of the global market,’’ Putin said in a speech at Russia’s annual economic forum in St Petersburg, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping sat nearby.
Russia and neighbouring China have been developing an ever closer relationship in recent years as their ties with the U.S. have deteriorated.
Putin, without directly mentioning the U.S., suggested that Huawei was being victimised in a veritable trade war.
Earlier this week, Putin and Xi looked on as Russian telecom operator MTS signed a deal with Huawei to set up a next-generation 5G communications network in Russia.
Huawei has become a central pawn in the trade conflict between the U.S. and China.
The U.S. has blacklisted the tech firm, accusing it of facilitating Chinese government spying.
“That Putin and Xi attended the signing exemplifies the importance of the technological collaboration between Russia and China, Huawei’s acting board chairman,’’ Guo Ping, said in a statement.
“U.S. restrictions on trade with economic powerhouse China have actually benefited Russia,’’ Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday.
“If there are restrictions on trade, you need to occupy free niches.
“Our entrepreneurs get additional opportunities on the Chinese market,’’ Siluanov said in comments carried by Russian state news agency TASS.
