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Huawei is apparently already making 5G base stations without US parts

Founder Ren Zhengfei said it'll double production in 2019, despite the US blacklisting.

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Huawei Mate 30 Pro

Huawei is pushing forward with 5G, according to its CEO.

Érika García / CNET

Huawei isn't letting the US blacklisting slow down its 5G plans, it seems. Ren Zhengfei, the controversial Chinese telecom's founder and CEO, said the company is already producing next-generation wireless base stations without American parts, according to Reuters.

After testing in August and September, Huawei will make 5,000 stations a month from October, Ren reportedly said. The company apparently intends to produce around 1.5 million stations in 2020.

Watch this: What is going on between Huawei and the US?

Huawei's role in the global 5G market has been thrown into question since the US Commerce Department blacklisted it in May, following an executive order from President Donald Trump that effectively banned it from the country's communications networks. Huawei has been a target of US lawmakers over concerns about its links with the Chinese government and fears that its equipment could be used to spy on other countries and companies.

A Norwegian cabinet minister on Tuesday told Reuters that the country doesn't plan to block Huawei from its 5G network, even though the US previously pressured its European allies to do so.

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The blacklisting impacted Huawei's Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro, which it launched last week in Germany. The premium phones will continue to use Google's Android operating system, but won't ship with the American company's services or apps preinstalled like previous Huawei phones did.

Earlier this month, Ren said Huawei is willing to share his company's 5G technology with a Western buyer. His deal would let that buyer access Huawei's existing 5G patents, licenses, code, technical blueprints and production knowledge for a one-time fee.

Huawei didn't immediately respond to a request for further comment.

First published at 6:14 a.m. PT.
Updated at 6:50 a.m. PT: Adds more detail.

Watch this: Huawei unveils Mate 30 series phones