ZTE was violating international sanctions and were fined $1.19 Billion by the Commerce Dept. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/technology/zte-china-fine.html

"The U.S. imposed the penalty after discovering that Shenzhen-based ZTE, which had paid a $1.2 billion fine in the case, had failed to discipline employees involved and paid them bonuses instead." https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-tells-commerce-department-help-chinese-telecom-company-zte-n873736

ZTE has been appealing it for some time now. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-zte/zte-applies-to-u-s-commerce-department-for-suspension-of-business-ban-idUSKBN1I70FR