China's technology company Huawei Technologies has reportedly been issued a subpoena by the US Commerce Department. The subpoena is said to be part of an ongoing probe into the company's alleged violation of export restriction to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.

According to the New York Times, the US Commerce Department has demanded that Huawei provides information about its export of US technologies to these five countries. The US imposed export restrictions on these countries due to security concerns.

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In response, Huawei has said that it follows a strict code of conduct to comply with the export control rules laid down by the US government.  

"In particular, Huawei has a strict code of conduct, rigorous training, and detailed policies relating to export control compliance and actively cooperates with the relevant government agencies, including the Department of Commerce, regarding Huawei's compliance with export control laws," a spokesperson for the company said in an email.

The US Commerce Department has declined to comment on the issue.    

Earlier this year, another Chinese smartphone manufacturer, ZTE, was penalized by the US Commerce Department for alleged export violations to Iran. In March, after weeks of negotiation and sustained pressure from the Chinese government, the US State Department gave a three-month reprieve to ZTE.

The Huawei case is the latest in the ongoing trade tension between US and China. The US has accused China of dumping of cheap steel in the American market while China has accused the US of failing to implement the World Trade Organization's (WTO) rulings.      

The US-China trade tension has also become a major issue in the ongoing US presidential campaign. Both the leading Democratic and Republican nominees have promised to impose tough anti-dumping and on China.

Tagschina, Huawei, US Commerce Department, ZTE