The White House on Wednesday pushed back on legislative efforts to reverse President Trump’s deal with China that eases penalties on Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE, helping to revive the company.  

White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley defended the administration's agreement to impose lessened penalties on the company, maintaining that the punishment was "massive" and "historic."  

“This will ensure ZTE pays for its violations and gives our government complete oversight of their future activity without undue harm to American suppliers and their workers," Gidley said in a statement.

“The Administration will work with Congress to ensure the final NDAA conference report respects the separation of powers," he added.  

Last month, Trump made a deal to reduce the Department of Commerce’s penalties leveled at ZTE for violating U.S. sanctions on Iran and North Korea. The penalties, which barred ZTE from purchasing U.S. made equipment, had effectively shut the company down.