For those playing catch up: ZTE makes phones/cell equipment. It broke US sanctions on Iran/North Korea, then lied to USG. In response USG cut its access to all US components, effectively killing it. In the context of the trade spat, it’s resuscitation is being used for leverage.
It should be noted ZTE is massively important to China. It employs 75,000 people, is an innovation leader, and often is a part of China development projects overseas. It’s destruction sets back Chinese r&d and plans for 5G.
The big question is what the US gets in exchange for bringing ZTE back to life. It’s a concession, but could help with everything from North Korea to trade negotiations. It could also be that the US is simply backing down. Imagine we’ll learn more soon enough.
Bit more coming in. One of Beijing’s main talking points on ZTE has been how its death would kill Chinese jobs. Seems an attempt to appeal to Trump’s sensibilities/get sympathy. So the weird fact Trump is tweeting about Chinese jobs might come from that.
