This article had more of the backstory. Many European and North American companies had already cancelled, and MWC had apparently lobbied the Spanish government

This article had more of the backstory. Many European and North American companies had already cancelled, and MWC had apparently lobbied the Spanish government to declare a health emergency, which would make insurance claims easier. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mobile-world-congress-cancelled https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mobile-world-congress-cancel...