China ready to retaliate if Germany bans Huawei

Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Tony Czuczka and Steven Arons

China's ambassador to Germany threatened Berlin with retaliation if it excludes Huawei Technologies as a supplier of 5G wireless equipment, citing the millions of vehicles German carmakers sell in China.

"If Germany were to take a decision that leads to Huawei's exclusion from the German market, there will be consequences," Ambassador Wu Ken said at a Handelsblatt event. "The Chinese government will not stand idly by."