The move, announced by the Portuguese Minister of Economy, António Costa, signals a continuation of the previous government’s stance on national security concerns. This stance, which has been criticized by some as overly cautious and protectionist, is likely to be a key point of contention in the rollout of 5G networks in Portugal. The ban, which was implemented in 2020, prohibits telecoms firms from using equipment from Huawei and ZTE, two Chinese companies that have been subject to US sanctions. The ban has been criticized by some as overly cautious and protectionist, but it has also been praised by others for its commitment to national security.