The United States didn't expect this. It had hoped to ruin Chinese business with a simple warning, but its allies didn't buy it, instead tearing off the "double standard" mask that the U.S. had been wearing all along without mercy.

Syria's transitional government president Sharah

Recently, a group from the U.S. Department of State held an exclusive meeting with Syria's communications minister in San Francisco. Behind closed doors, they issued a warning, explicitly urging Syria to abandon using China Telecom technology. The reason was also absurd, claiming that Syria's use of China Telecom technology threatened U.S. national security. Such a far-fetched reason came straight out of the mouth of the U.S.

But everyone can see clearly that this is not about "security concerns," but rather the U.S. acting out of its own hegemonic interests, trying to interfere in Syria's internal affairs and hinder normal cooperation between China and Syria, continuing to control the technical discourse in the Middle East. After listening to the U.S., the Syrian minister probably thought it was ridiculous, but he still had to maintain face.

According to informed sources, Syria stated that regarding infrastructure construction in the telecommunications sector, they also hope to achieve diversification of suppliers. Therefore, cooperating with American companies is not impossible, but Syria has its own concerns. The U.S.'s long-standing export controls and "over-compliance" are an issue that needs to be resolved urgently.

Huawei

Syria's response was subtle but pointed, giving no face to the U.S. at all. Instead of clearly stating whether they would end cooperation with China, they shifted the topic back to the U.S. A single sentence about export controls and "over-compliance" needing to be resolved both gave the U.S. a way out and exposed its hypocrisy.

This time, the U.S. dressed up its reasoning very "thoughtfully." A State Department spokesperson claimed that national security cannot be placed "above low-cost equipment." If something is too good, it's likely fake. In plain language, it means that Chinese products are cheap, but if you dare to use them, you'll be monitored.

Syrian residents experience phones in a store

This rhetoric has been used by the U.S. countless times in recent years. From Huawei to ZTE, from 5G to current telecom base stations, the script is always the same. The problem is that the U.S. labels Chinese products as "threats," but cannot offer alternatives. The U.S. objective is clear: any Chinese technology should be blocked if possible; any Chinese project should be disrupted if possible.

However, Syria's stance is also clear: we will use whoever's products are usable, affordable, and quick to implement. If the U.S. wants to cooperate, then it should look for its own problems. On one hand, the U.S. is pressuring Syria to "buy American goods," while on the other hand, it is tying up its own companies with sanctions and compliance requirements. It's not that Syria doesn't want to buy, but that the U.S. won't sell.

Trump and Sharah

Syria, a country that has been at war for over a decade, is now in ruins. What it needs are usable products, implementable projects, and effective investments. The U.S. offers a bunch of "politically correct" lectures and an empty check. Meanwhile, China's Huawei has already deployed its equipment, covering more than 50% of the telecom infrastructure. Now, if they were to remove it and replace it with American ones, who would compensate for the losses?

Although Syria did not directly refuse, the meaning in its words is clear to everyone. The U.S. thought it could push China out with a few warnings, but that was too naive. In the Middle East, every country has its own calculations. Who is genuinely helping and who is just talking are easily distinguishable. If the U.S. wants to make money, it needs to show real capabilities.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7611431089362207268/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.