The Commerce Department said Monday that Chinese tech company ZTE lied to US officials about violations in US sanctions against North Korea and Iran. The Chinese company agreed a year ago to pay a $1.2 billion fine after the US found it had illegally shipped telecommunications equipment to the countries. The US has now decided to ban the company from buying components from American firms. In addition to the United States, the United Kingdom government also stated certain telecom companies should refrain from using Chinese firm’s equipment and services. ZTE has fired back, saying the US is being unfair and that the bans will negatively affect other companies as well as ZTE, including US companies.
