Huawei is firing back against the US-led campaign to push it out of major markets, insisting it’s still on track to lead the world in the introduction of 5G technology.

Despite efforts in markets creating fear about Huawei, using politics to interfere with growth, customers continue to trust us and continue to work with us and build networks with our technologies, Deputy Chairman Ken Hu told reporters in the Chinese city of Dongguan on Tuesday.

Hu was speaking during a turbulent period for the Chinese company, one of the world’s biggest makers of smartphones and telecommunications equipment. Its chief financial officer is under arrest in Canada, facing possible extradition to the United States, and its products are coming under increasing scrutiny from businesses and governments over security concerns.

Despite decisions this year by Australia and New Zealand to block wireless operators from using Huawei to build their 5G networks, Hu expressed confidence that the company’s technology is "significantly more advanced" than that of its rivals, giving it a head start of 12 to 18 months and the ability to attract new customers.