Portugal will consider Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. as equipment suppliers for the country's build-out of next-generation 5G wireless networks, despite U.S. warnings, The Associated Press reported Dec. 5.

Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Augusto Santos Silva told reporters his government will rely on Portuguese and EU regulations to evaluate all bids from 5G operators.

U.S. officials have long warned allies that they view Huawei as a potential security threat, but European leaders remain divided on the issue. German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently appealed for the establishment of a common European approach to selecting providers for the region's 5G rollout. German lawmakers are split on whether to ban Huawei. Elsewhere in Europe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to exclude Huawei from the country's 5G networks. Estonia will also ban Huawei, while Hungary said it will involve the Chinese company in its 5G rollout.

Earlier reports indicated Altice Portugal SA selected Huawei as a partner for its 5G service launch.