US allows ZTE to resume some business

WASHINGTON – U.S. authorities are allowing China’s ZTE Corp. to resume some business with American companies, temporarily easing part of a ban imposed over the tech giant’s exports to Iran and North Korea.

The Commerce Department’s order this week follows a settlement under which ZTE agreed to pay a $1 billion fine, replace its executive team and hire U.S. compliance officers.

The order said ZTE will be allowed to conduct business with American companies to maintain existing telecom networks and mobile phones and to support security features. The suspension lasts through Aug. 1.

ZTE suspended most operations after it was banned in April from buying U.S. components and technology. The company had been paying American suppliers an estimated $1.8 billion annually.