TP-Link is popular in the US, but the US government is considering restrictions.
The US government is considering designating TP-Link Systems Inc. as a national security risk. This could severely limit the activities of the Chinese network manufacturer in the US, according to sources close to the investigation reported to Bloomberg.
Investigation into Chinese Ties
The Department of Commerce has been investigating the ties between TP-Link and China since last year. According to insiders, a judgment is already prepared and efforts are being accelerated to formally establish it. This could lead to restrictions or a ban on the US market for TP-Link. The increased scrutiny of TP-Link coincides with the planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later this month.
TP-Link is under fire in Washington following cyberattacks where routers of the brand were misused by Chinese hacker groups. However, there is no evidence that TP-Link was complicit. The incident does prompt America to more quickly ban Chinese equipment. Earlier this year, more than a dozen Republican senators called for a ban on TP-Link products in the US. They believe that Chinese authorities could gain access to American networks through the routers.
Powers under Trump’s Order
The legal basis for the investigation lies in an order from 2019. This gave President Trump the power to the Department of Commerce to ban foreign technology companies if they pose an “unacceptable risk” to national security.
TP-Link can appeal before a final decision is made. The company says it is “working closely with the Department of Commerce” and expects the assessment to “confirm the safety of TP-Link’s operations and products.”