Navigating Great Power Competition: Jordan’s Response to US-China 5G Rivalry

Abstract: In an era of escalating US-China technological rivalry, Jordan’s decision to refrain from using Huawei’s 5G from its telecommunications networks stands as a significant case study of how small states navigate great power competition. Despite having received 2G, 3G, and 4G infrastructure services from Huawei, and not perceiving Huawei’s 5G as a security threat, as the United States does, Jordan is the only Arab country to make this decision. Drawing on in-depth interviews and media analysis, this article argues that Jordan’s choice does not fit neatly into traditional balancing or bandwagoning frameworks, nor hedging. Due to its dependence on US foreign aid and economic ties with China, Jordan adopted indirect bandwagoning behavior; it covertly aligned with the United States while publicly maintaining a neutral stance. Jordan avoided an explicit ban on Huawei to mitigate potential economic fallout from China. At the same time, it ensured that Huawei would be excluded from 5G bids, thereby satisfying US expectations. This dual approach highlights how small states manage competing pressures by maintaining public neutrality while privately aligning with a dominant power.