China has strongly criticized the recent US House vote on a bill that aims to force TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app or face a nationwide ban. The bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the US House of Representatives, has raised tensions between the two countries.
While the bill awaits Senate approval, President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to sign it if it successfully passes through Congress.
'DISAPPOINTING VOTE': TikTok CEO pleads with users to voice their support for the 'amazing platform' after House lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill that could ban the app in the US if the app's Communist China-based owner doesn't sell its stake. https://t.co/Ud7jbReGEE pic.twitter.com/r8fZxyehxB
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 15, 2024
Beijing has firmly pledged to take “necessary measures” to safeguard its interests in response to the bill. China’s commerce ministry spokesperson, He Yadong, emphasized the importance of equitable treatment for foreign companies and urged the United States to establish a non-discriminatory environment for investment and business operations. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin criticized the bill, asserting that it violates fair competition principles and international trade norms. He stated,
“China will take all necessary steps to resolutely protect its legitimate rights and interests.” Wang likened the situation to banditry, saying, “When someone sees a good thing another person has and tries to take it for themselves, this is entirely the logic of a bandit.”
TikTok, the immensely popular short-form video app, has become a global sensation. However, concerns have emerged due to its Chinese ownership and alleged connections to Beijing’s ruling Communist Party. U.S. lawmakers are apprehensive that American user data being under Chinese control could pose a national security risk.
🇺🇸 Did US politicians just vote to ban TikTok?
The US House of Representatives has passed a Bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner does not sell.
Sky's @Stone_SkyNews has the details 👇 pic.twitter.com/yk90zcyqkI
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 13, 2024
In a remarkable display of unity in politically divided Washington, the proposed law received 352 votes in favor and 65 against from U.S. lawmakers.
The TikTok app has already been prohibited on all US government devices.
Former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has revealed his intention to create an investor group with the aim of acquiring TikTok. This decision comes in the wake of the House of Representatives passing a bill that could potentially prohibit TikTok’s presence in the US unless its China-based owner, ByteDance, divests its ownership.
Mnuchin emphasized that TikTok should be owned by US businesses, asserting that the Chinese government would not allow a US company to own a similar platform in China.
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