Huawei, founded in 1987, has evolved from a reseller of telephone switch equipment to a major player in telecom and smartphone markets. The company has faced US-imposed trade restrictions since 2019, which have been maintained and expanded under President Joe Biden. These restrictions have pushed Huawei towards self-sufficiency, particularly in semiconductor production. Huang criticized the US government's efforts to stifle Huawei, suggesting they have been ineffective.
Key takeaways:
- Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, considers Huawei the "single most formidable technology company" in China, noting its growing presence in AI.
- Huawei has been using China-made chips in its flagship smartphone, the Huawei Mate, since 2023, as part of its push toward self-sufficiency.
- The US government's restrictions on Huawei have not deterred the company, which continues to dominate the Chinese smartphone market over competitors like Apple.
- Efforts by both the Trump and Biden administrations to limit Huawei's access to US technology have been criticized by Huang as being "done poorly."