Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:Reuters

Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies will face a criminal trial in the United States next year, after a federal judge in New York refused to dismiss serious charges against the company.

The charges include racketeering, stealing trade secrets, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and violating U.S. sanctions related to Iran and North Korea. Huawei has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly rejected Huawei’s request to drop 13 of the 16 charges, stating that the company’s legal arguments were "premature." In her 52-page decision, the judge emphasized that dismissing such charges is rare and only done under very limited circumstances.

The case centers around accusations that Huawei misled financial institutions about its business dealings in Iran—activity that was restricted under U.S. law. Prosecutors say the company continued to operate in Iran and North Korea through front companies, while falsely assuring banks that it was not violating sanctions.

This legal battle dates back to 2018, when both Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou were first charged. Meng was arrested in Canada later that year at the request of U.S. authorities. She reached a deal in 2021, admitting she misled HSBC about Huawei’s business in Iran. The agreement ended the case against her but not the company.

The trial is expected to proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.