DThe possible ban of the Tiktok app from the United States will put a strain on relations between America and China. After the US House of Representatives voted for a law that could lead to a ban on Tiktok in the United States, the People's Republic is threatening countermeasures. “China will take all measures to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests,” a Beijing Commerce Ministry spokesman said on Thursday. The State Department accused Washington of “rogue tactics.” The country would “resort to hegemonic measures if one is not successful in fair competition.” The statements are among Beijing's usual accusations.
The House of Representatives passed a law on Wednesday that would force Tiktok to separate from its Chinese parent company Bytedance within just under six months or be banned in the USA. The MPs see the platform as a security risk and fear that Beijing could use Tiktok as a data treasure or to exert influence. The app is used by approximately 170 million Americans.
Tiktok boss Shou Chew said on Thursday the law would lead to a ban. However, it is unclear whether he just wants to heat up the mood or whether Bytedance would actually not sell the platform. This was already being discussed towards the end of Donald Trump's presidency. The bill goes to the U.S. Senate next. The White House supports the move.
“We will not stop fighting for you”
The relationship between the United States and China had actually stabilized in recent months. Recently, however, relations have soured again; in the USA there were safety concerns due to Chinese cranes at US ports or imports of electric cars from the People's Republic. In addition, Joe Biden's government is cutting China off from the latest semiconductors, which is undermining Beijing's AI ambitions. The relationship with China also plays an important role in the US election campaign. Biden's opponent Trump was recently critical of a ban on Tiktok, which he had once pushed for himself. This could strengthen the Facebook group Meta, which he described as the “enemy of the people”.
Tiktok is defending itself against the law with an offensive campaign. Chew continued this on Thursday with a video on Tiktok, asking users to contact their senators. “We will not stop fighting for you,” he said, as if he were an activist. The platform had previously sent push notifications to users to complain to MPs. This turned the app into a campaign tool, which reinforced some fears. To the deputies' annoyance, the wires ran hot. Some users demonstrated in front of the Capitol in Washington.
Despite the harsher comments from ministry spokesmen, Beijing's reaction is rather cautious. So far, the usual more nationalistic commentators have been a bit harsher. Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the party newspaper Global Times, called on Bytedance to fight, mobilize its users in the US and put pressure on Congress. The Biden administration's demands are “legally and morally without basis.” However, there has been no major outcry so far, and the US law has not been a big topic even in the often nationalistic social media.
China, for its part, has banned a number of foreign platforms. Facebook, Instagram and Platform X, as well as many news sites and chat programs, cannot be accessed without VPN services. These are used by many Chinese people, but are actually forbidden. Google programs are also banned. A Beijing Foreign Ministry spokesman said this was “something completely different.” China welcomes foreign platforms, but they must adhere to the laws in the People's Republic.
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