EU sends a warning shot to Spain regarding Huawei

Brussels and Washington are raising red flags after Spain awarded a controversial contract to Chinese tech giant Huawei, sparking renewed fears over cybersecurity and the safeguarding of Western intelligence.

The €12 million agreement, revealed last week, allows Huawei to supply hardware for storing state-authorized wiretaps—sensitive data used by Spain’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The deal has triggered serious concerns in both the EU and the US, particularly as Western nations continue distancing themselves from Chinese technology over national security threats.

EU Labels Huawei a “High-Risk Supplier”

The European Commission has reiterated its warning that Huawei poses “materially higher risks” compared to other telecom suppliers. Brussels has consistently urged member states to limit or exclude high-risk vendors like Huawei and ZTE from critical infrastructure projects—especially those related to 5G networks and national security systems.

In a statement, the Commission reminded member states to adopt decisions based on its 5G cybersecurity “toolbox”, emphasizing that slow action “exposes the EU as a whole to a clear risk.”

U.S. Lawmakers Demand Intelligence Review

Tensions escalated when senior U.S. lawmakers, Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Rick Crawford, called on U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to reassess intelligence sharing with Spain.

In a formal letter, the lawmakers warned that unless Spain aligns with Western efforts to limit Huawei’s access to secure systems, U.S. intelligence shared with Spanish agencies should be filtered or redacted to avoid potential leaks to the Chinese Communist Party.

“The United States has led a whole-of-government effort to eliminate Huawei risks. Spain’s actions undermine this effort,” the letter stated.

Spain Defends the Deal, Denies Security Risks

Spain’s Interior Ministry, which approved the contract, defended the decision, saying it followed legal and cybersecurity protocols. It stated that “there is no security risk whatsoever”, citing compliance with national regulations and independent certification.

The Ministry stressed that the hardware is standard commercial storage and does not allow Huawei access to wiretap data.

Huawei’s Response: Data Security & Local Compliance

Huawei confirmed that the equipment in question—OceanStor Dorado flash storage systems—is industry-standard and not connected to surveillance systems. The company stated:

“Huawei does not access customer data. All data is owned and controlled by the customer.”

Huawei also pointed to its 24-year track record in Spain, noting full compliance with local regulations and a commitment to supporting Spain’s digital infrastructure.

However, the controversy comes amid broader scrutiny. In March, Belgian police raided Huawei’s Brussels office in an ongoing investigation into alleged lobbying misconduct and bribery involving EU officials—raising further questions about the company’s influence within the European bloc.

Spain’s China-Friendly Stance Adds Complexity

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has actively pursued closer ties with Beijing, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping three times in just over two years to bolster economic and investment relations. This China-friendly foreign policy stance contrasts with the increasingly cautious position taken by other NATO and EU allies.

Some Spanish officials have privately expressed concerns about overreliance on U.S. tech, especially following the political shifts under President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. These sentiments further complicate Spain’s position as it tries to balance national security, economic cooperation, and geopolitical alliances.

The Bigger Picture: Cybersecurity and Trust in the Digital Age

As Huawei continues to face restrictions across the U.S., UK, and parts of the EU, Spain’s contract reignites the debate on data sovereignty, cybersecurity risk, and strategic dependence on foreign tech providers.

With cybersecurity now a central pillar of global diplomacy and defense, Spain’s decision could reshape trust and cooperation in Europe’s intelligence-sharing networks—and raise broader questions about how the EU navigates its relationships with global powers like China and the U.S.