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Huawei’s latest license extension cut in half by US government
August 02, 2025
The United States and HUAWEI have been atloggerheadssince May last year, when the Chinese firm was first put on the infamous USEntity list. Since then, HUAWEI has only been able to conduct business with US firms at the mercy of the US Department of Commerce and its periodic license extensions.
Thelast 90-day extensionwas handed out in November 2019, which means it’s time for a renewal or cancellation. Much to HUAWEI’s relief, it’s gotten the former.
How long is the extension and what does it mean for HUAWEI?
Thetemporary general licensewhich allows American companies to do some business with HUAWEI has been extended for another 45 days. Here’s what the Department of Commerce wrote in itsextension announcement:
While this may be good news for HUAWEI and its US partners, the license extension has been cut in half this time around. A 45-day extension instead of 90 days does not look very promising for the future of US-HUAWEI relations. It also further diminishes hope ofHUAWEI phones regaining Google servicesany time soon.
Related:HUAWEI rep says company won’t use Google apps even if it can
The setback can be attributed to HUAWEI’s ongoing tussle with the US government. Things have heated up quite a bit in the recent past. HUAWEI hasrefuted allegationsmade by US officials that it has backdoors to network providers around the world. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice has fileda rather harsh indictmentagainst HUAWEI, accusing it of racketeering.
It’s hard to say if the US government’s actions are truly warranted or if HUAWEI has just ended up becoming an unwilling pawn in the already troubledUS-China trade relations.
Just what will be the future of HUAWEI phones in such an environment? Looks like the company will have to double down on itsHMSofferings and look for immediatealternativesto Google apps in order to protect its global interests.
Otherwise, HUAWEI could be looking at losing its prominent position in the smartphone market to other Chinese rivals.
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