Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross suggests that any deal between the U.S. and ZTE Corp. allowing the firm to purchase U.S. hardware and software could require the firm to accept American compliance monitors at its locations. During an interview with CNBC, Ross said the penalty “would involve implanting people of our own choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit” that would report back to Commerce. “The whole key is enforcement,” Ross added.

Experts say installing monitors isn’t likely to allay concerns that ZTE could engage in espionage, which led to the sanctions in the first place. Brian O’Toole, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, questioned the effectiveness of the monitors. However, Richard Matheny, a partner at the law firm Goodwin, said ZTE shouldn’t hesitate to accept the offer, but noted that it might be difficult to find someone willing to take the job. “Many in the export enforcement community are dismayed that ZTE may be let off the hook, and this will do very little to satisfy those concerns,” Matheny remarked.

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