Us to ban Chinese TP-Link routers on national security grounds

The US government is considering imposing a ban on TP-Link, a Chinese maker of WiFi routers, on the grounds that it poses a national security risk, according to people familiar with the matter.

If true, it would be the largest withdrawal of Chinese telecommunications equipment from the U.S. market since the Trump administration ordered the removal of Huawei equipment in 2019.

In the tense atmosphere of competition between China and the United States, the United States is increasingly concerned about the security risks that may accompany Chinese technology products. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (December 18), citing sources, that the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense and Justice have launched separate investigations into TP-Link, with the goal of banning the sale of TP-Link routers in the United States as soon as next year.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense launched an investigation into Chinese-made routers, and an office of the US Commerce Department even issued a subpoena to TP-Link.

The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment, while the Commerce Department, Defense Department and TP-Link did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

In August, two U.S. lawmakers urged the Biden administration to investigate TP-Link and its affiliates, citing concerns that the company's wireless network routers could be used in cyberattacks against the United States, according to letters seen by Reuters. TP-Link responded at the time that the company does not sell any router products in the United States, and its routers do not have network security vulnerabilities.