As doors close in the US, China’s Huawei shifts to Europe

SHENZHEN, China — As trade disputes simmer, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, the No. 3 smartphone brand, is shifting its growth efforts toward Europe and Asia in the face of mounting obstacles in the U.S. market.

Shenzhen-based Huawei, the world’s largest maker of telecoms equipment, has long coveted access to the U.S. but recently laid off key American employees at its Washington D.C. office.

The U.S. has regularly stymied Huawei’s efforts to enter the America, citing national security concerns. Huawei has failed to find a U.S. carrier to partner with for its smartphones, and the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved a draft order that could damage Huawei’s existing business in network gear.

Huawei is instead focusing on Europe, where its profits are surging, partnering with European firms to develop next-generation wireless network standards.