An eight-year path reaches a jury
NEW YORK — Jury selection is expected to begin in Brooklyn federal court in the criminal case against Huawei Technologies, eight years after prosecutors first secretly charged the Chinese telecommunications company. U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly is presiding, and Reuters says the trial could last about three months.
Huawei faces counts that include bank and wire fraud, sanctions violations, money laundering, racketeering and obstruction. Prosecutors also accuse the company of conspiring to steal trade secrets from five U.S. technology companies. Huawei has pleaded not guilty and denies wrongdoing.
What prosecutors allege—and Huawei disputes
A central allegation is that Huawei misrepresented its relationship with Skycom while conducting business in Iran and moving dollar transactions through the international banking system. Prosecutors also allege misleading conduct involving North Korea and surveillance equipment; Huawei calls the government's broader narrative false.
Former chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou made factual admissions in a 2021 agreement that ended her individual case, and a judge ruled in June that prosecutors may use them against Huawei. The jury must still decide what those admissions prove about the corporate defendants and charged conspiracies.
The trial is not a verdict
The courtroom process will test admissibility, credibility and legal elements rather than the geopolitical reputation of either country. Government restrictions on Huawei and Beijing's criticism of the prosecution form background; neither substitutes for evidence on a specific criminal count.
The building photograph is a real CC0 image of Huawei offices in Shenzhen. It does not show the Brooklyn courthouse, a defendant at trial or any of the alleged transactions and should be read as identification of the company only.
Limits and what to watch
An indictment is an accusation, Huawei has pleaded not guilty and allegations about Iran, North Korea, trade secrets and obstruction are not established facts unless admitted or proven in court.
The next development to watch is jury selection, admitted evidence, judicial rulings and an eventual verdict or other resolution.
Sources and further reading
Reuters: Huawei heads to trial in the United States ↗
Justice Department: 2020 superseding indictment announcement ↗
Justice Department: 2019 financial-fraud charges ↗