The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering measures to restrict the business operations of network equipment manufacturer TP-Link within the United States. TP-Link is a multinational corporation with headquarters in China, Singapore, and the United States, among other locations.
According to Yonhap News Agency and other foreign media outlets on October 10, the U.S. government is reviewing whether to make an "initial determination" regarding whether the company poses a threat to national security. It is reported that the U.S. government has been investigating possible links between TP-Link and the Chinese government since last year.
Preparations to reach a certain conclusion have reportedly been in place for quite some time, and related procedures have recently accelerated.
If TP-Link is determined to pose a threat to U.S. security, there is speculation that the company's business operations within the United States could be restricted.
Recently, concerns have been growing in Washington political circles regarding the relationship between TP-Link and the Chinese government, with some pointing out that Chinese hackers could exploit the company’s wireless communication equipment as hacking tools.
Particularly noteworthy is that these measures are being pursued ahead of a summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will take place in Gyeongju at the end of this month.
Previously, China announced strengthened controls on rare earth exports, which some interpret as a pressure tactic against the United States ahead of the upcoming summit.
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