The US is expected to scrutinise on national security grounds yesterday’s joint acquisition of 3Com, the US networking group, by Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecoms equipment maker, and Bain Capital, the US private equity firm.

The deal is worth $2.2bn in cash. Bain will take a stake of more than 80 per cent, while Huawei’s ownership will remain below 20 per cent, insiders said.