In the 5G technology trade war with China, the US promises to invest a billion dollars in Brazil | National newspaper

The document is a letter of intent signed by the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, and the president of EximBank, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Kimberly Reed, in a ceremony at the Itamaraty Palace. The United States offers US $ 1 billion, more than R $ 5.5 billion, to finance projects in Brazil in the areas of energy: nuclear, gas and oil; infrastructure; logistics and mining; and especially for telecommunications. That’s where the American interest lies: 5G technology.

The fifth generation mobile internet, 5G, promises to be up to ten times faster than 4G. In addition to higher speed, more stable connections and 90% less power consumption than 4G. The technology will integrate various machines that use 5G, such as cell phones, laptops, household appliances and vehicles, allowing the development of smart homes and cities, with the interconnection of a public lighting system, traffic, public transport, for example.

The Chinese company Huawei is at the center of the trade dispute and the political influence of the United States and China. In December 2018, at the request of the US court, Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the founder of Huawei. A company linked to Huawei would have done business with Iran, violating US sanctions. Huawei denied the actions. Wanzhou was released from jail after posting bail.

Without providing evidence, in April 2019, the United States decided to regard Huawei as a threat to national security and prohibited government agencies from purchasing its products. The Donald Trump government claims, without proof, that a 5G network developed by Huawei could be used by China’s espionage. The company and the Chinese government deny the charges.

The presence of US security adviser Robert O’Brien at the ceremony on Tuesday reinforces the interest of the Trump administration, 15 days before the US elections. O’Brien told Brazilian businessmen on Monday (19) that Huawei can have access to strategic information from companies and the government if Brazil chooses it.

Citing China, the economy minister defended trade relations with the whole world, saying that the partnership with the United States is due to issues such as geopolitics and security.

“We trade with everyone, like the Americans too, always trading with China, always open. But we also know geopolitically who we are. We are a liberal democracy in the West, we are the second or third, the second largest democracy in the West and possibly the third largest in the world just after the United States and India. So we know who our geopolitical partners are and, at the same time, we trade with everyone. Our approach to Americans has always been based not only on economic performance, but also on security, “said Guedes.

In his speech, President Jair Bolsonaro said that he does not interfere in the elections, but that he supports Trump.

Rubens Ricupero, who was an ambassador to Washington, warned that Brazil should not take sides in a trade war between the United States and China.

“You would not explain the presence on the mission of the White House National Security Advisor, which is a very high position. He would never come to Brazil just to sign a trade facilitation agreement. A matter of elementary prudence would be for Brazil to wait for the elections. Because the American elections are in … how many? 16 days, 17 days. Better wait for the elections and wait to see what happens ”, he evaluated.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Brazil said that “a small number of US politicians, ignoring the facts and falsifying a series of lies, have been launching defamatory attacks against Huawei’s 5G.” And he stated that “the Chinese side is willing to expand the partnership in both traditional and emerging areas, including 5G.”

Huawei’s director of cybersecurity, Marcelo Motta, said that data protection is a priority for the company.

“We take great care of cybersecurity and privacy protection. And they are the main priorities of our company. We are the most transparent and open company, since our solutions are the most proven in the world.”

Due to the pandemic, the auction by the National Telecommunications Agency, Anatel, for the new frequencies through which 5G will enter, was for 2021. Technology experts warn that Brazil should not stick to political issues to define business.

“Brazil, like any other country in the world, has to see 5G as a strategic technology. So, regardless of the commercial partner or the suppliers that come to operate in the country, it is important that Brazil adopt certain measures of auditing and certification of equipment in terms of cybersecurity. So as much as business decisions are made that aim to serve some sort of national interest, the technology itself is agnostic to all of this political discussion. It has components that come from all over the world, ”said Gustavo Correa Lima, telecommunications consultant.