Huawei trial begins as US accuses company of trade-secret theft

Court proceedings against Huawei have begun in the United States, with the US Department of Justice accusing the Chinese technology company of stealing trade secrets from five US companies.

The accusations include alleged industrial espionage and the misappropriation of intellectual property from T-Mobile US, Cisco Systems, Motorola, CNEX Labs, and Akhan Semiconductor. Huawei denies the accusations, saying it is competing and innovating rather than engaging in criminal activity.

• T-Mobile US
• Cisco Systems
• Motorola
• CNEX Labs
• Akhan Semiconductor

In an opening statement, Department of Justice trial attorney Taylor Stout said Huawei had victimized American companies and abused the US financial system over 20 years in an effort to dominate global telecommunications. Huawei defense attorney Brian Heberling rejected that characterization, describing the case as competition and innovation rather than conspiracy and theft.

The case also involves Huawei's former chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. Charges against her were dropped, but her evidence is expected to be used in the case against Huawei.

Huawei is owned entirely by its staff. The proceedings come eight years after the investigation began and are expected to last around three months.