RISK & RESILIENCE
Huawei, a leading technology giant, has had to navigate acute geopolitical risks stemming from US sanctions and global political opposition primarily driven by US-China rivalry.
In 2019, US government restrictions barred Huawei from accessing key US technologies, including Google’ s Android operating system and semiconductor supplies. This geopolitical pressure dramatically shifted Huawei’ s business environment and forced a comprehensive rethinking of its global strategy.
Huawei accelerated the development of its own HarmonyOS as an alternative mobile operating system, reducing reliance on US technology. This pivot enabled Huawei to sustain its domestic market leadership despite global challenges.
“ HarmonyOS enables us to control more of our ecosystem and reduce vulnerability,” said Founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei.
Huawei also doubled down on internal research, reshaping product development and stepping up partnerships with non-US suppliers – diversifying input sources and shielding production from external shocks.
“ Sanctions are not something we expect to disappear— we operate under the assumption that selfsufficiency is the new normal,” says Ren.
Huawei now embeds risk analysis into every executive move, mapping trade and regulatory risks ahead of time:“ We are prioritising software because it offers autonomy... independence in software ensures the continuity of our business model.”
supplychaindigital. com 87