THE United States will extend a reprieve that permits Huawei Technologies to buy components from U.S. companies to supply existing customers, the U.S. Commerce Department said Monday, but it also moved to add more than 40 of Huawei’s units to its economic blacklist.

The extension was announced by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, even though President Donald Trump suggested Sunday that no such reprieve would be granted.

The 90-day extension “is intended to afford consumers across America the necessary time to transition away from Huawei equipment, given the persistent national security and foreign policy threat,” the department said.

“As we continue to urge consumers to transition away from Huawei’s products, we recognize that more time is necessary to prevent any disruption,” said Ross.

Huawei said in a statement that the temporary extension “does not change the fact that Huawei has been treated unjustly. Today’s decision won’t have a substantial impact on Huawei’s business either way.”

Trump had indicated over the weekend that there would be no extension.

The U.S. Government blacklisted Huawei in May, alleging the Chinese company is involved in activities contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.

Ross said he was adding 46 Huawei affiliates to the so-called “Entity List” — a list of companies effectively banned from doing businesses with U.S. firms — raising the total number to more than 100 Huawei entities covered by the restrictions.

(SD-Agencies)