MWC got caught in a tough spot. Lots of companies were pulling out. Companies don't like sending employees to events when, rationally or not, a lot of families are going to be uncomfortable about a family member traveling to a big show with a large number of Chinese attendees. And, of course, a lot of employees also believe, rightly or wrongly, that they can't just say "nope" without consequence.

Many years ago, I remember my company canceling some sales event because of, I think, Gulf War I because they didn't want to tell European employees in particular to travel to the US often on American carriers.