US tries to block China Mobile's entry
Washington, July 3 : The administration of US President Donald Trump has recommended that state-owned China Mobile, the world's biggest cell phone carrier, be denied a licence to operate in the US.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is a part of the US Department of Commerce, cited national security risks in a statement sent on Monday to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent agency that will take the final decision, with its recommendations, Efe reported on Tuesday.
"After significant engagement with China Mobile, concerns about increased risks to US law enforcement and national security interests were unable to be resolved," David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the US Department of Commerce, said in a statement.
China Mobile submitted an application for a licence to the FCC in 2011 and has close to 900 million subscribers.
The NTIA decision comes amid escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The Trump administration has cited national security concerns to justify its decision to impose tariffs on Chinese products and to restrict the operations of Chinese companies in the US.
In recent months, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs worth billions of dollars on its major trade partners although China has been the worst affected.
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Misri, Rubio discuss trade, Quad; US diplomat set to visit India in May
Washington (PTI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit New Delhi next month, it was announced here after his "productive meeting" with India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on a range of issues, including trade and the Quad.
Misri, who is on a three-day visit here, met Rubio at the White House. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relationships, especially trade, critical minerals, defence and the Quad.
"Welcome to the White House @VikramMisri! Productive meeting with @SecRubio that focused on our bilateral relationship, especially trade, critical minerals, defence and the Quad," US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who was also present at the meeting, posted on X.
Secretary Rubio looks forward to visiting India next month, Gor said.
Earlier, Misri held separate meetings with US Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
"Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri today in Washington. The leaders reaffirmed the close partnership between the two countries and shared news about the situation in the Persian Gulf and other global and regional priorities," Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesman for the Department of State, said in a statement.
Hooker said she and Misri discussed how India and the US can work closer together on security, defence, and the economy.
“We are finding practical ways to make both Americans and Indians safer and more prosperous, including through the Quad,” she said.
The Indian embassy in the US said Hooker and Misri took stock of the India-US bilateral agenda since the Foreign Office Consultations held last December.
The two diplomats also shared assessments on recent developments in West Asia, as well as regional issues of mutual interest.
US Vice President J D Vance is leading a delegation to Islamabad for talks with Iranian leaders after the warring sides agreed to a two-week Pakistan-brokered ceasefire.
