Huawei was an unfortunate victim in the US/China trade war, and it resulted in the loss of Google’s apps and services. They’ve had no access to it for more than half a year now, but still have released a few devices in that time; The Mate 30 lineup, Nova 5t, upcoming Nova 7i and even the upcoming P40 lineup. This meant they had to create a Google free Android variant for their newer devices like the Mate 30 Pro. They’re even working on their own OS, HarmonyOS. So it looks like they’re gearing up for the future with or without Google.

However, even though US and China are coming to terms, which means Huawei’s ban might be lifted, the Chinese tech brand told Austrian newspaper Der Standard that they still won’t return to Google’s services.

Huawei’s Austrian country manager, Fred Wangfei says the company wants to get rid of their dependence on US politics. Mainly because no one can tell if another blockade will follow after the current one. They then go on to say that’s why Huawei’s stated goal is to create a third smartphone ecosystem, accompanying Android and iOS. But they will still continue to be based on the open source code of Android, and will follow the original from Google closely to make apps/services compatible.

They’re also focused on creating their own ecosystem and have invested three billion U.S. dollars into Huawei Mobile Services with a team of 4000 developers entrusted with the task. All this also means they’re not going to be using the Play Store, and focus on their own App Gallery. But they are happy to welcome U.S. apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and more into their Play Store alternative.

The weird part is that this contradicts in a way, the international statement that Huawei released on Tuesday:

“An open Android ecosystem is still our first choice, but if the US doesn’t let us use it, we have the opportunity to develop one ourselves.”

And another supporting statement from an email to The Verge from Huawei states:

“Our first choice is the open Android ecosystem, including GMS (Google Mobile Services) — that was what helped us become number two in the world for smartphone shipments,” a Huawei spokesperson told The Verge by email.

So, what’s the reality here? It’s probable that if Google takes Huawei back, that’s cool, but if they don’t that’s cool too, and they’ll do it on their own. It’s just the way that Wangfei positioned Huawei as being reluctant to work with Google, which Huawei is now taking back. Looks like all is not as it seemed.

At the end of the day though, all of this sounds to me, like the next step in Huawei’s plan. It’s as if the ban happening and losing Google has given them an opportunity to step up and be the next big ecosystem, alongside Android and iOS. They even developed their own FaceTime alternative, MeeTime, so who knows what’s next? Their own email services? Maps?

All I do know is, if the ban is lifted, and you have access to Google services, make sure Google Apps are available on your devices, and you’re good. Hopefully, that’s how it all plays out.