WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the Commerce Department’s imposition of a virtual embargo against exports to ZTE, China’s second-largest telecom company:

"Today's action to impose a virtual embargo on exports to China's number-two telecom company, ZTE, reveals publicly for the first time that this company has systematically violated U.S. sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and other proscribed countries.  ZTE bought U.S. telecom equipment and illegally incorporated it into communications systems for the Iranian and North Korean security, military, and intelligence agencies.  I commend the federal agents at the Commerce Department, FBI, and Homeland Security Department for carrying out this four-year investigation.  Additional criminal charges are likely to be brought.  I believe that the U.S. sanctions should be extended to cut off all ZTE commercial activity and investment in the United States.”

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