Never used TP-Link routers but i do use their WiFi cards because they work.
Just to put into perspective…
China is not the only group going after infrastructure but are the most visible in the news currently.
Definitely a broad attempt to get into secured networks, from big-iron infrastructure to end-user router gear.
Its a tough game. Either you manufacture your own hardware or you trust someone else to do it safely. It ain’t about “not trusting” China. You could trust a country X today but that protects you only in the present. There’s no guarantee they’ll not attach a vulnerability which can in the future be use for an RCE attack.
Recommend you read “This is what they told me how the world ends” All governments are buying zero-days. It’s bad and nothing is not-hackable. Part of this possible ban may be more posturing as well.
Timing on this article does irk me as I just replaced my old Google Wifi with TP-Link Deco AXE5400. My PC has had a TP-Link network card forever. Never had a problem with this vendor. That being said I am guessing there is a ton of older routers that never get updated and vulnerable to being hijacked
I tend to never run their firmware anyway, I use openwrt usually and buy hardware compatible.