Joe Lieberman to Give ZTE 'Independent' National Security Assessment

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman has agreed to provide Chinese telecommunications company ZTE with an “independent” assessment of their products’ potential to harm national security, Politico reports.

ZTE’s close relationship with the Chinese government has prompted concern from American officials and legislators, who worry that ZTE’s smartphones, tablets, and other products with networking capabilities could leave openings for cyber espionage.

“There are obviously still concerns about the safety of their products or the extent to which their products could be used to compromise American security in any way or even individual security,” the former Vermont independent senator said.

He added that ZTE has “decided to really try to get ahead of those concerns and be in a position to answer them.”

The company previously hired Lieberman’s fellow former legislators Nebraska Rep. Jon Christensen and Sen. Norm Coleman to provide lobbying assistance. Lieberman told Politico that he will register as a lobbyist, but does not plan on actually lobbying. He did say that he’s contacted members of Congress that have been critical of ZTE in the past, and although he declined to name them, the offices of Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., both said they spoke with the former senator.

“I don’t expect at any point, certainly in this phase, to be giving ZTE’s point of view,” he said. “I’m really supposed to be listening and asking questions.” 

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