The US Government is trying to persuade wireless and Internet providers in countries including Australia to avoid buying telecommunications equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies.

The move would increase pressure on the world’s biggest telecoms gear maker, which is under scrutiny from Western intelligence agencies.

US agencies are concerned about Huawei’s perceived ties to China’s government and the possibility its equipment could be used for espionage.

The US has already largely barred Huawei from supplying its government and contractors. Australia has banned the company only from supplying equipment for its 5G mobile network.