IEEE Reverses Huawei Peer-Review Ban Following Commerce Department Clarification
The IEEE lifts its recent restrictions on Huawei employees serving as editors and peer-reviewers after consulting with the U.S. government. The reversal aligns with a temporary exemption allowing Huawei to participate in 5G standards development.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) lifts its recent restrictions on Huawei employees, allowing them to resume their roles as editors and peer-reviewers. This reversal comes just one week after the New York-based scientific association initially barred Huawei and its affiliates from the peer-review process in response to the U.S. trade ban. The rapid policy change highlights the ongoing regulatory murkiness surrounding U.S.-China trade negotiations and their impact on the global technology sector.
The IEEE makes this decision after consulting with the U.S. Department of Commerce to clarify whether export control restrictions apply to its publication activities. The association determines that an exemption exists, meaning Huawei personnel can once again participate in the standards-setting process. Despite the initial ban, the IEEE had previously assured members that Huawei researchers still maintain the right to submit papers and attend public conferences.
This exemption directly aligns with a temporary general license issued by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security. The rule specifically authorizes American companies to engage with Huawei and its non-U.S. affiliates as necessary for the development of 5G standards within recognized international bodies like the IEEE, 3GPP, and ETSI. By lifting the curbs, the IEEE ensures that critical technological standardization continues without interruption during the ongoing trade dispute.