Huawei founder describes daughter's arrest as 'politically motivated' and says US will not 'crush' firm

Huawei’s founder has hit back at the US for pursuing criminal charges against the company.

Ren Zhengfei described the arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, as politically motivated.

Mr Ren said there is “no way the US can crush us” after it filed the charges against the company and Ms Meng.

"The world cannot leave us because we are more advanced," he added.

“Even if they persuade more countries not to use us temporarily, we can always scale things down a bit,” he told the BBC.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned the country's allies against using Huawei technology.

The US, Australia and New Zealand have blocked Huawei from supplying some of its equipment.

Canada is reviewing whether the firm’s products pose a serious security threat.

Last month the US levelled at total of 23 charges against the company, including for money laundering, bank fraud and stealing trade secrets.

Huawei denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Ren's daughter was arrested on 1 December in Vancouver at the request of the US.

She is expected to be subject of a formal extradition request.

On his daughters arrest, Mr Ren said: "I object to what the US has done. This kind of politically motivated act is not acceptable."