The European Union today released a set of guidelines for member states that address security risks related to the rollout of 5G infrastructure, with no mention of Chinese tech behemoth Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was “disappointed” with the news that the U.K. would go ahead with its deal with Huawei. The U.K government called Huawei as “high-risk vendor,” and said there will be restrictions as to the company’s participation in the rollout.

Now that the EU hasn’t explicitly called out Huawei and the alleged security risks, the U.S. might take umbrage again. In a press release Tuesday, the European Commission said member states will decide for themselves how to build their networks, but created a “toolbox” for enhanced security measures. If a state wants to enforce an outright ban on any company, the EU won’t stop it.

“We can do great things with 5G,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age. “The technology supports personalized medicines, precision agriculture and energy grids that can integrate all kinds of renewable energy. This will make a positive difference. But only if we can make our networks secure. Only then will the digital changes benefit all citizens.”

The guidelines may limit just how much involvement Huawei might have in setting up European 5G networks, but they are far from the rebuff that some U.S. officials would have liked to have seen. With a win in the U.K. on Tuesday followed by another win in the EU today, this will come as a big blow to the Trump administration.

Huawei seemed happy with the guidelines, saying in a statement, “This nonbiased and fact-based approach towards 5G security allows Europe to have a more secure and faster 5G network.”

The U.S. has continually stated – overstated to some observers – the security risks that Huawei poses when setting up 5G infrastructure. President Donald Trump has called for an all-out ban on Huawei 5G technology, saying that if deals should go through, transatlantic intelligence communications could be affected.

Photo: Rock Cohen/Flickr