Ren Zhengfei said the company also plans to build 5G networking equipment in Europe, instead of just in China, to try to allay fears that the Chinese government could use the networks for spying. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: The interview comes a year after Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, Ren’s daughter and the company’s CFO, on an extradition request from the U.S., which has effectively banned the company over security concerns. She’s been detained in Vancouver ever since. The Chinese government, with which Huawei has ties, responded by blocking some Canadian imports and arresting two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and consultant Michael Spavor, accusing them of spying. Former deputy prime minister John Manley recommended the countries agree to a “prisoner exchange.” Despite the tensions, Ren has doubled down on his company’s Canadian efforts. Huawei said it added 300 jobs this year in the country, where its workforce now totals 1,200. The company has funded $56 million in university research in Canada, and said it would boost its 2019 R&D spending in the country by 15 per cent over last year’s $180-million budget. Ren also called on Canada to prioritize artificial intelligence, given it’s home to some of the field’s top thinkers. But rather than suggest the government fund the sector, he said he’d personally be willing to invest: “If they need more money, I can give them money,” he said. “I’m richer than the Canadian government.”