Is Sen. Tom Cotton backing off his push (illustrated above) to prevent the U.S. from doing business with the Chinese telcom ZTE? Donald Trump has been pushing for an arrangement with ZTE.

The Capitol Forum reports maybe so.

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Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton appears to be backing away from his insistence that his amendment to impose a seven-year ban on ZTE buying U.S.-made components be included in must-pass defense legislation, a source close to negotiations told The Capitol Forum today.

Cotton sponsored an amendment imposing the purchasing ban on the Chinese telecom firm in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act, but no similar provision exists in the House’s bill. The ZTE amendment faces opposition from the White House and sets up a major hurdle for Republicans as House and Senate members begin the defense bill’s conference negotiations this week.

Cotton would not comment on his position, saying the amendment is under active negotiations.

… Even Senate Republicans who previously threw their support behind Cotton’s amendment are softening their position in order to pass the defense bill.

The Party of Trump.

UPDATE: A reader provides an Arkansas angle on ZTE, as reported July 4 in the Texarkana Gazette:

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A jury in Texarkana last week awarded $43.3 million in damages following a two-week trial in federal court concerning patents for smartphone and tablet technology.

Maxell Ltd. could receive an even greater judgment from ZTE USA Inc. because the jury found that ZTE’s infringement on Maxell’s patents was willful. The final damages determination will be made by U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III, who presides over the case in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

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