Economics
Huawei's Worst-Case Survival Guide for U.S. Criminal Crackdown
- Fighting indictments seen far riskier than seeking settlement
- Company says ‘always willing to talk to the U.S. government’
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Huawei Technologies Co. founder Ren Zhengfei proved a master strategist in building his company into the global leader in telecommunications equipment. Now, in the wake of two U.S. criminal indictments, he faces the unfamiliar task of working out the best legal strategy for allegations that could threaten his company’s very existence.
Huawei’s first impulse, clearly, has been to fight. The company denied any wrongdoing and said it expects to be found innocent in court. Yet Ren and his legal team have to consider opening negotiations with the Justice Department to find out how to get the company out of peril.