In the U.S., China-based router maker TP-Link is suspected of cyberattacks

Washington has launched an investigation into a major manufacturer of Wi-Fi routers from China, TP-Link, for possible involvement in cyberattacks. The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 18 that the U.S. is thinking about banning the devices from 2025.

" U.S. authorities are investigating whether a Chinese company whose popular home Internet routers have been linked to cyberattacks poses a threat to national security and are considering banning the devices," the media outlet points out.

It is known that the U.S. Department of Commerce invited representatives of TP-Link to the court. Commenting on the situation, a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu said that the United States uses the appearance of national security to "suppress Chinese companies."

The diplomat noted that Beijing intends to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of companies from the PRC.

Retaliatory move: China has imposed sanctions on U.S. hitech

Gallium, germanium and antimony banned from supplying the U.S.

Before that, on December 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on American politicians to show more "common sense" after being scared by garlic from the PRC. For example, Republican Senator Rick Scott called for an investigation into Chinese garlic imports, as the U.S. has raised concerns about the safety of the product and the way it is produced in China. As Mao Ning pointed out, if Washington decided that Chinese garlic posed a threat to the country's national security, it would be difficult for U.S. authorities to avoid ridicule.

On the same day, Denis Denisov, an expert at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, shared with Izvestia an opinion that Washington and Beijing may tighten mutual sanctions after the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. He added that the countries' relations are more likely to worsen.