Trump Signs Executive Orders to Ban US Transactions With Chinese Companies ByteDance and Tencent

[MacRumors]

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders that would officially ban any U.S. transactions with the Chinese companies that own TikTok and WeChat, in an escalation of the ongoing technological cold war between the two countries.

The executive orders would prohibit "any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States," with ByteDance and Tencent, beginning in 45 days. TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, said it was "shocked" by the executive order and that it will respond in court, if necessary.

TikTok has come under increasing scrutiny by the U.S. government due to concerns that it can theoretically be compelled by Chinese law to hand over all collected user data. Trump has said that TikTok must sell off its U.S. operations in 45 days and that the deal must include a substantial payment to the U.S. government, otherwise the app would be banned. China has reacted angrily to the threat, and warned that it would refuse to accept the "theft" of TikTok if the deal goes ahead.

Microsoft has publicly confirmed its intention to purchase TikTok in the United States and several other territories, and the company is currently in discussions with ByteDance. A previous report suggesting Apple is interested in buying the app turned out to be inaccurate.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1291546392935235586

WeChat, owned by Tencent, is heavily relied upon in China as a messaging platform, as an interface for numerous other apps, and to make mobile transactions. Most Western chat apps are banned in China, but WeChat is widely used around the world and has over 1.2 billion monthly active users.

The executive orders could also pose problems for a number of other businesses. Tencent is an investor in several U.S. companies including Tesla, Reddit and Spotify. It also owns a substantial amount of shares in Riot Games and Epic Games, the makers of League of Legends and Fortnite, respectively.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Trump Signs Executive Orders to Ban US Transactions With Chinese Companies ByteDance and Tencent

 

[itsmilo]

sometimes I am really impressed by how much power the president has on his own in the US. Almost feels like its a half dictatorship like he can veto things, just decide stuff like this on his own. Crazy

And what about state side companies that collect personal data to share and sell them? like your very own mobile phone providers.

 

[1applerules1]

That’s actually a lot more generous of an executive order then I was expecting. The Chinese government doesn’t deserve an extra 45 days. I still support the decision though.

 

[chineseguy38]

Ban, ban and ban all of them. Also anything made in China.

 

[Kylo83]

in my honest opinion its damaging children these kinda apps

 

[cycomiko]

US cry endlessly about IP, then attempt to steal the IP of a foreign company.

China needs to call in its debt.

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

I can’t stand that there’s so much IP theft coming from China & I don’t like the idea of the Chinese government getting people’s data but, “and that the deal must include a substantial payment to the U.S.”?!

How the hell is that legal? What kind of precedent does this set? So now a President can just issue an order that you must sell your company AND send a check to Washington? These are strange times indeed.
[automerge]1596796475[/automerge]

US cry endlessly about IP, then attempt to steal the IP of a foreign company.

China needs to call in its debt.

It’s not stealing if you pay for it. Also, calling in the debt puts China in a precarious position. They export & sell millions of items to US citizens every year. That’s not really a market you want to jeopardize. Plus, we spent a ton on our military, so good luck sending over any “debt collectors”.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Excellent, hopefully the ban will inspire other countries and areas to consider similar action. It's time that China is reminded that they can't trample the rest of the world without penalty.

 

[alien3dx]

Are they need to ban foxcon in china? Apple Unite.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Excellent, this is a big step in the right direction

 

[alien3dx]

in my honest opinion its damaging children these kinda apps

haha yup for old folks like me weird

diary - private (old folks)
- open (snapchat,facebook,tiktok)

 

[calstanford]

That’s actually a lot more generous of an executive order then I was expecting. The Chinese government doesn’t deserve an extra 45 days. I still support the decision though.

Such utter ********

 

[Vjosullivan]

Election time noise. Move along.

 

[ruka.snow]

Absolutely disgraceful but not unexpected from an overgrown toddler that spat his dummy. The US people should really look to Facebook and the NSA if they are concerned about data collecting, I have no doubt that Facebook will have already sold your personal data to China(directly or indirectly).

 

[826317]

Imagine if Obama signed this executive order, none of you would be against it, let's be real about that hahaha.

 

[WordsmithMR]

That’s actually a lot more generous of an executive order then I was expecting. The Chinese government doesn’t deserve an extra 45 days. I still support the decision though.

The time frame isn’t to be generous towards China. It’s because our entire nation is so dependent on Chinese money, especially from those two Chinese companies, that it’s giving US corporations and businesses time to make changes. I know ByteDance is big, but not really up to date on what they have invested in... but Tencent basically owns Silicon Valley as they have investments in soooooo many companies, big and small.

 

[jayducharme]

Here are some interesting thoughts on how this is playing out:

https://www.engadget.com/trumps-thr...t-be-legal-but-its-super-shady-203026097.html

 

[826317]

sometimes I am really impressed by how much power the president has on his own in the US. Almost feels like its a half dictatorship like he can veto things, just decide stuff like this on his own. Crazy

And what about state side companies that collect personal data to share and sell them? like your very own mobile phone providers.

What? You're impressed by the fact that the executive branch has executive power? Why do you think you first have to win an election before you obtain this kind of power? hahaha.

 

[WordsmithMR]

Imagine if Obama signed this executive order, none of you would be against it, let's be real about that hahaha.

Well that’s because a lot of these people are working at troll farms. Real people, even those who oppose Trump, have been wanting this for years and this is really the only great thing he’s done in what will be his only term in presidency.

 

[Appleman3546]

Has anyone tried out tiktok’s competition like Instagram “reels” or “vineyard - compilations”?

 

[Dwalls90]

Although I personally don’t like Tik Tok, and think China has been bad lately on an international level, this sets a scary precedent for future acts. What’s next? Trump bans Twitter or Facebook for them “censoring” Trump’s misinformation posts?

It also fuels the flame that China should be scapegoated for all of the US problems lately, like our economy or how poorly Trump handled COVID. Distraction and blame tactics.

 

[Chompineer]

Well that’s because a lot of these people are working at troll farms. Real people, even those who oppose Trump, have been wanting this for years and this is really the only great thing he’s done in what will be his only term in presidency.

I am unfamiliar with this conspiracy. Please share your tinfoil hat.

 

[Dwalls90]

Absolutely disgraceful but not unexpected from an overgrown toddler that spat his dummy. The US people should really look to Facebook and the NSA if they are concerned about data collecting, I have doubt that Facebook will have already sold your personal data to China(directly or indirectly).

Trump wouldn’t take action against a platform that provides political or self gain.

 

[826317]

Here are some interesting thoughts on how this is playing out:

https://www.engadget.com/trumps-thr...t-be-legal-but-its-super-shady-203026097.html

That's interesting. Now all of a sudden they are concerned about the freedom of speech/expression of Americans??? However when Twitter bans or censors someone you get the whole "they're a private company they can do whatever they want to their own platform" spiel........

Also, to link Trump's ban of TikTok to what happened regarding his Tulsa rally is simply ridiculous.

 

[Moonjumper]

It seems overkill. The article says the worry is about user data. Why not just have a requirement for USA citizens data to be kept within USA borders?