Huawei Technologies has introduced its first personal computer powered entirely by its own operating system, HarmonyOS, marking a major pivot away from Microsoft’s Windows ecosystem after the expiration of its PC license with the American software giant in March.

The new laptop, still unnamed as of Thursday, marks a milestone for the Shenzhen-based company, which has been gradually detaching itself from U.S. technology following sweeping sanctions. This device runs HarmonyOS 5, also referred to as HarmonyOS Next, the latest iteration of Huawei’s homegrown system, which until now has primarily powered smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices.

The laptop is set for official launch on May 19, according to Chinese media, and will be the first Huawei PC without Windows pre-installed. While Huawei has previously offered Windows and, in some cases, Linux-based alternatives, this device represents its full embrace of HarmonyOS for PCs.

AI Integration and App Ecosystem

Unveiled during a closed-door event in Huawei’s home city of Shenzhen, the new device is stacked with artificial intelligence features and ships with Huawei’s voice-based assistant, Celia. The assistant can reportedly automate routine productivity tasks such as creating presentations, summarizing meeting notes, and retrieving files—features that draw comparisons to emerging AI integrations seen in Western tech ecosystems.

Huawei executive Zhu Dongdong, president of the company’s tablet and PC business, described the device as the dawn of a new era for Huawei’s terminal hardware lineup, declaring that the company had “fully entered the era of HarmonyOS.”

The HarmonyOS version on this laptop supports a mix of traditional desktop and mobile applications. According to local tech publication ITHome, the system includes essential productivity apps such as WPS Office (China’s homegrown alternative to Microsoft Office) and DingTalk, an enterprise collaboration tool developed by Alibaba. The device also supports popular mobile applications like RedNote, Bilibili, and ByteDance’s Feishu, reflecting an effort to blur the line between smartphone and PC ecosystems.

By the end of 2025, Huawei expects the laptop to be compatible with over 2,000 apps, according to Nanfang Daily, a state-backed newspaper.

A Merged User Interface

HarmonyOS on PCs blends design elements from both smartphones and traditional desktops. The laptop’s interface includes a shortcut dock resembling Apple’s macOS and arranges software icons in customizable cards and folders, drawing from mobile UX conventions.

This hybrid approach may appeal to Chinese consumers increasingly accustomed to smartphone-based workflows and signals Huawei’s push toward an integrated device ecosystem, where smartphones, tablets, wearables, and PCs operate under a unified platform, free of Google or Microsoft dependencies.

Geopolitical Undercurrents

Huawei has been developing HarmonyOS since 2015, accelerating its rollout after Washington placed the company on the U.S. Entity List in 2019, cutting off access to critical American technologies. As part of broader efforts to ensure technological self-sufficiency, HarmonyOS has emerged as a symbol of China’s push to reduce dependence on foreign software.

In smartphones, Huawei has already made substantial gains. HarmonyOS accounted for 19% of the Chinese smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research, surpassing Apple’s iOS, which held 17%. It was the fourth consecutive quarter that HarmonyOS edged out iOS, though Android remained dominant at 64%.

The successful expansion of HarmonyOS to the PC space would further solidify Huawei’s transition into a self-reliant tech player and may eventually inspire other Chinese OEMs to adopt the system, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue to drive tech decoupling between China and the West.

The HarmonyOS laptop is likely to serve as a litmus test for both the operating system’s maturity and the company’s ability to sustain a full-fledged PC ecosystem independent of U.S. technology. While HarmonyOS has seen rapid growth in the mobile space, PCs demand deeper software compatibility, robust developer support, and a broader ecosystem of peripherals—areas where Huawei still faces significant hurdles.

However, analysts believe that by positioning its new laptop as a multi-device AI-powered productivity machine, Huawei is not just offering an alternative—it is attempting to redefine the Chinese PC experience on its own terms.

President Donald Trump’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all imports, signaling a new era in U.S. trade relations that prioritizes protectionism and bilateral negotiation.

The decision, confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, comes amid ongoing global trade uncertainty and mounting concerns from international trading partners and domestic businesses.

Speaking at a briefing on Friday, Leavitt stated, “The president is committed to the 10% baseline tariff — not just for the United Kingdom, but for his trade negotiations with all other countries as well.”

When asked if the tariff was intended to be permanent, she replied, “The president is determined to continue with that 10% baseline tariff. I just spoke to him earlier.”

Since its introduction on April 2, the baseline tariff has become the anchor of Trump’s broader trade doctrine, layered atop a series of more aggressive measures targeting specific countries and industries. The administration has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 145%, paused some country-specific tariffs for 90 days, and exempted certain electronics from duties, all while keeping the 10% general tariff intact.

This tariff stance has already shaped negotiations with key allies. On Thursday, Trump announced his first post-tariff trade deal with the United Kingdom. The agreement includes a cut in U.S. tariffs on British car exports from 27.5% to 10%, and the removal of tariffs on British steel. In return, the UK agreed to lower tariffs on American agricultural exports, including beef and ethanol. However, Leavitt made it clear that “the 10% baseline remains in place across the board.”

Trump’s approach to China has been notably more volatile. Despite asserting earlier in the week that he would not consider easing tariffs on Beijing, he appeared to soften that stance days later. In a Truth Social post, Trump hinted that the 145% tariff on Chinese goods “could come down substantially” and mentioned a possible reduction to “around 80%.” The contradiction has drawn scrutiny from observers trying to decipher the administration’s ultimate strategy.

Meanwhile, trade experts and economists are watching with unease. Trump’s tariffs, particularly the sweeping 10% levy, have disrupted global supply chains and triggered significant market reactions. Since the announcement in early April, investors have grappled with volatility, and businesses have expressed concern over long-term predictability in their international operations.

Negotiations with other nations are also underway, with Trump’s team seeking tailor-made agreements. However, the fixed 10% duty remains a sticking point, complicating talks for countries hoping to negotiate exemptions or favorable terms. According to sources close to ongoing discussions, multiple governments have raised objections to the uniform tariff, viewing it as a blunt instrument that disregards nuanced trade relationships.

The tariff policy underscores Trump’s broader message of economic nationalism. During his campaign and into his presidency, Trump has consistently argued that the U.S. has been treated unfairly in global trade and has vowed to use tariffs as leverage to reset these dynamics.

But critics warn that such a wide-reaching tariff risks isolating the U.S. economy and inviting retaliation. In 2018 and 2019, during Trump’s previous tariff battles, most notably with China, American farmers and manufacturers suffered losses amid tit-for-tat tariffs and disrupted trade flows.

The situation remains fluid. Trump has indicated that his administration is open to adjusting specific tariffs based on negotiations but insists the 10% rate serves as a necessary baseline for fairness.

“We’re done being taken advantage of,” he wrote in a recent Truth Social post. “The 10% tariff is about leveling the playing field.”

Against this backdrop, the 10% tariff has become the new norm, influencing the responses of global partners as businesses brace for cost adjustments. However, it is not clear whether the tariffs will ultimately deliver the desired economic gains or continue to deepen global trade tensions.