US prosecutor calls Huawei criminal enterprise as trial opens

In the opening of the trial against tech giant Huawei, a US prosecutor described the Chinese company as a criminal enterprise that stole from American companies to build its telecommunications empire. The trial began in Brooklyn federal court, with prosecutor Taylor Stout emphasizing the theft, lies, and cover-up committed by Huawei over the past 20 years.

He detailed how the company victimized five US companies, including Cisco Systems and T-Mobile, by stealing trade secrets, such as operating system source code for internet routers and a robotic arm to test phones. The prosecutor also revealed videos showing an employee stealing the robotic arm. Defense attorney Brian Heberlig countered, arguing that Huawei's success was built on competition, innovation, and ordinary business dealings, not criminal conduct.

Heberlig emphasized that Huawei earned its success through legitimate means and that there was no blueprint for crime. Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry spokesperson firmly opposed the US prosecution, stating that the country supports Chinese enterprises in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.