Huawei CFO Back in Canada Court in Extradition Case as US Negotiates Resolving Charges

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at court in Vancouver | Photo: REUTERS
Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at court in Vancouver | Photo: REUTERS
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Huawei CFO Back in Canada Court in Extradition Case as US Negotiates Resolving Charges

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at court in Vancouver | Photo: REUTERS
Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at court in Vancouver | Photo: REUTERS

Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou will return to a Canadian court on Monday as witness testimony in her US extradition case resumes, amid news last week that her lawyers and US prosecutors held talks to reach a deal that could see her release and to return to China after two years of house arrest.

Meng, 48, was arrested in Canada in December 2018 on a warrant from the United States. She is facing charges of bank fraud for allegedly misleading HSBC Holdings Plc about Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s business dealings in Iran, causing the bank to break US sanctions.

She has said she is innocent and is fighting the extradition from under house arrest in Vancouver.

US prosecutors are discussing a deal with lawyers for Huawei’s Meng to resolve criminal charges against her, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday, signaling a potential end to a case that has strained ties between the United States, China, and Canada.

Her lawyers have argued in the British Columbia Supreme Court that Meng’s extradition should be thrown out based on alleged abuses of process that took place during her investigation by Canadian border officials and subsequent arrest by police.

They have also claimed the case has been politicized to the point where Meng would not receive a fair trial in the United States, pointing to comments made by President Donald Trump in an interview with Reuters in December 2018 about his willingness to use Meng as a bargaining chip in trade talks with China.

In previous weeks of witnesses’ cross examinations, officials from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) testified in the court that the process leading up to Meng’s investigation and arrest was rushed but by the book.

Prosecutors are arguing that Meng’s extradition is valid and procedures were followed.

Meng’s arrest caused a chill in diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Beijing. Shortly after Meng was detained, China arrested two Canadian men - Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor - who now face spying charges.

On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the release of the two Canadians was his “top priority”, while declining to comment on the talks to release Meng.

Meng’s case is scheduled to wrap up in April 2021.



Apple’s iPhone 16 Hits Indonesia Stores after Monthslong Ban

Apple's iPhone 16 models have hit the shelves in Indonesia after a monthslong sales ban. BAY ISMOYO / AFP
Apple's iPhone 16 models have hit the shelves in Indonesia after a monthslong sales ban. BAY ISMOYO / AFP
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Apple’s iPhone 16 Hits Indonesia Stores after Monthslong Ban

Apple's iPhone 16 models have hit the shelves in Indonesia after a monthslong sales ban. BAY ISMOYO / AFP
Apple's iPhone 16 models have hit the shelves in Indonesia after a monthslong sales ban. BAY ISMOYO / AFP

Smartphone buyers were cheered by shopkeepers in Jakarta on Friday after Apple's latest smartphone went on sale following a monthslong ban in Indonesia.

The marketing and sale of iPhone 16 models was prohibited by the government in October over Apple’s failure to meet regulation requiring that 40 percent of smartphone components be made from local parts, said AFP.

But the US tech titan announced last month that its latest smartphone models would hit the shelves, weeks after striking a deal with the Indonesian government to invest in the country.

Albert Wongso, 34, told AFP outside the store he was very happy to learn that the iPhone 16s were now available in Indonesia.

"I’m very happy to hear from the news because we can buy the iPhone directly from Indonesia," the IT consultant told AFP Friday, adding that he was looking to buy the iPhone 16 Pro model to replace his iPhone 11.

"Because if we buy from the other country... it’s quite hard for example to claim the warranty," he said.

While the ban was in place, the government had allowed iPhone 16 models to be brought into the country, provided they were not being traded commercially.

A win for Apple

Jakarta rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple in November, saying it lacked the "fairness" required by the government.

The company later agreed to invest $150 million in building two facilities -- one in Bandung in West Java province to produce accessories, and another in Batam for AirTags.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said in February that Apple had also committed to building a semiconductor research and development center in Indonesia, calling it a "first of its kind in Asia".

The iPhone 16's entry into the Indonesian market marks a win for Apple and signaled the economic importance of the country of 280 million people.

"Indonesia is one of the biggest markets for Apple in the Asian region apart from China and so on," said Nailul Huda, director of digital economy at the think tank, Centre of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS).

The Indonesian government is considering relaxing regulation of the information and communication technology sector ahead of talks with the United States over President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto is set to lead a delegation to Washington this month in the hope of striking a better deal after Trump announced a 90-day pause on the harshest tariff against US trading partners.

Indonesia has also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the 40 percent local parts requirement.