President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that could ban U.S. companies from purchasing and using equipment made by Chinese tech giant Huawei.
It's aimed at clearing the way for a ban on foreign telecom gear that poses a national security risk.
The U.S. has long believed that Huawei devices pose that type of threat, and it's even pressured its allies to move away from working with the telecom company.
A provision tucked into the National Defense Authorization Act President Trump signed last year already blocks U.S. government agencies or their contractors from using Huawei equipment or services.
Huawei isn't specifically named in the executive order, which was signed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. That law allows the president to regulate commerce following the declaration of a national emergency.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department charged Huawei with trying to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile and violating U.S. sanctions. Huawei pleaded not guilty, and has also repeatedly denied that its products and services pose any sort of national security threat.
The Trump administration had reportedly been considering this new executive order for more than a year.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
