Trump insists American wireless companies should lead the world on 5G 'and even 6G' technology after Huewei founder trolls him saying China will sell something 'suitable for the United States' By David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor For Dailymail.com Published: 15:07 GMT, 21 February 2019 | Updated: 15:16 GMT, 21 February 2019 Viewcomments President Donald Trump said Thursday that the U.S. must lead the world in next-generation 5G cell phone technology – and whatever comes next – less than 90 minutes after Huawei's founder boasted on television of China's lead in the tech race and thanked U.S. officials for boosting his bottom line by publicly fretting about it. In what appears to be a signal of a coming policy shift, the president tweeted Thursday that he wants the U.S. 'to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies.' While the Trump administration considers the Chinese tech giant's equipment a national security threat, the Shenzhen-based company has 5G rollout contracts with nearly 30 other countries. 5G networks will move data dramatically faster than existing 4G signals. Allowing Huawei's mobile phone equipment back into U.S. markets could be a carrot for Beijing as Trump's negotiators hash out a new trade framework with the world's second largest economy. 'We are rolling out 5G and soon we'll welcome 6G. And in the future ... there will be new equipment that is suitable for the United States' Huawei founder Ren Zhenfei said in a 'CBS This Morning' interview, speaking through a translator. A White House official said Thursday morning that it was 'highly likely' Trump saw the broadcast before tweeting. 'First of all, I would like to thank them,' Ren said of U.S. officials who have turned the 5G arms race into an international sparring match. '5G was not known by common people. But now, these great figures are all talking about 5G ... And we're becoming more influential and getting more contracts,' he said. Asked if he was being sarcastic, Ren smiled. 'Oh, please tell them – I'm actually thanking them for promoting us,' he said. Trump's response indicates the business fight is at the top of Trump's mind. 'I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible. It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind. There is no reason that we should be lagging behind on something that is so obviously the future,' the president said in a pair of tweets. 'I want the United States to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies. We must always be the leader in everything we do, especially when it comes to the very exciting world of technology!' Ren downplayed the significance of 5G technology itself, dismissing the idea that it promises the same power to reshape the world as 'some other military equipment.' '5G is not an atomic bomb,' he said. While Trump was tweeting, China's trade delegation was assembling in the Indian Treaty Room just a short walk away from the White House in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Andrew Lighthizer sat across a table from Chinese Vice Premier Liu He Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai and Yi Gang, Governor of the People's Bank of China. China's vice finance minister, vice foreign minister, vice agriculture minister and vice commerce minister also attended. Thursday marked the fourth time Liu has traveled to the U.S. for trade talks. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility