TLDRs;
Germany officially bans Huawei from future 6G networks, expanding efforts to remove Chinese components from existing 5G systems.
Chancellor Merz pushes for digital sovereignty, pledging deeper tech cooperation with France to reduce reliance on China and the US.
Berlin may fund telecom operators to replace Huawei gear, speeding Europe’s shift toward secure domestic alternatives.
Huawei counters global setbacks with the Mate 70 Air debut, intensifying competition with Apple in China’s device market.
Germany has moved to formally bar Huawei from participating in the country’s next-generation 6G network, marking one of its strongest national security decisions in years and signaling a decisive shift in Europe’s digital strategy.
The move, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, marks one of Berlin’s strongest steps yet toward digital independence and a clear signal to both Beijing and Silicon Valley that Europe is redefining its technological boundaries.
Germany, the EU’s largest economy, is now accelerating plans to remove Chinese-made components from current 5G networks and prevent any from entering next-generation systems. The decision comes amid rising geopolitical tensions, where Europe is increasingly wary of dependencies on foreign technology suppliers across critical areas, including semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, and AI systems.
Germany Moves to Phase Out Huawei for Good
At a business conference in Berlin, Merz stated that the government had formally resolved to exclude Chinese suppliers, especially Huawei, from Germany’s future 6G infrastructure. He emphasized that the priority now is to replace as many foreign components as possible in existing 5G systems with equipment developed by domestic or European manufacturers.
“We won’t allow any components from China in the 6G network,” Merz said, framing the decision as an essential step toward digital sovereignty.
He added that he and French President Emmanuel Macron plan to meet to discuss how Europe can reduce long-term reliance not only on China, but also on US technology giants that dominate AI and cloud services.
The shift follows last year’s directive requiring German telecom operators to remove Huawei equipment from their core networks, citing national security risks. Berlin is also evaluating the use of public funds to help operators like Deutsche Telekom, offset the cost of stripping out Chinese gear, a measure that could accelerate the transition.
Europe’s Broader Tech Realignment
The Huawei ban comes at a moment when Europe is reevaluating its place in the global tech race. With supply chain concerns rising and governments seeking more control over strategic technologies, the EU has been tightening regulation over AI, cloud contracts, and network infrastructure.
Merz’s announcement signals that Germany is positioning itself as the standard-setter for the bloc’s digital transformation.
Analysts note that if Germany fully detaches from Huawei in both 5G and 6G, other EU nations may follow, with France, the Netherlands, and Denmark already reviewing their exposure to Chinese telecom gear.
China’s Tech Momentum Continues at Home
Even as its access to Western telecom markets narrows, Huawei continues pushing aggressively in consumer electronics.
Just last week, the company unveiled the Mate 70 Air, a 6.6mm-thin smartphone aimed squarely at Apple’s iPhone Air. The device, priced at 4,199 yuan (about US$590), features a 7-inch display, 6,500mAh battery, stereo speakers, and Huawei’s proprietary operating system.
The launch comes amid intensifying competition in China’s high-end smartphone market, where Xiaomi has also accelerated product cycles to counter stronger iPhone demand. While Huawei’s handset momentum remains strong domestically, the German ban shows how sharply the company’s global footprint is shrinking.