Trump, Johnson talk security ahead of Huawei decision

Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed telecoms security with US President Donald Trump as he prepares to announce if Britain will use China's Huawei in its 5G networks, officials said Saturday. In a phone call on Friday evening, the leaders "discussed a range of issues, including cooperation to ensure the security of our telecommunications networks", a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

In London on Saturday, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Huawei's involvement in next generation 5G mobile networks was a "complicated issue".

"We are in active discussions with the UK government and others about Huawei," he told the Chatham House think tank after talks with British Finance Minister Sajid Javid.

"Huawei is a complicated issue, what part of their network it goes into. I don't want to get into the details, but there are active discussions."

The United States has banned Huawei from the rollout of its 5G networks because of concerns - strongly denied - that the firm could be under the control of Beijing. Johnson also discussed Brexit in his call with Trump, along with the "need to secure justice" for the family of Harry Dunn, Downing Street said.