China Hints at Retaliation for Trump's Executive Order to Ban WeChat and TikTok: "We Will Protect the Rights and Interests of Chinese Companies"

▲Donald Trump, President of the United States [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban the popular Chinese applications TikTok and WeChat, prompting the Chinese government to signal retaliation.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 7th regarding President Trump's executive order, "China will firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of its companies."

Spokesperson Wang criticized, "These companies conduct business according to market principles and international order," adding, "These companies comply with U.S. laws, but the U.S. government is abusing its power under the pretext of national security and targeting foreign companies."

He continued, "This is a blatant act of hegemony, and China firmly opposes it." He also emphasized that many people within the U.S. and international community figures have criticized such actions by the U.S. recently.

He urged, "The U.S. should listen to the rational voices of domestic and international society, correct its wrongful actions, stop politicizing economic issues, and cease corporate oppression."

Meanwhile, on the same day, President Trump signed an executive order banning all transactions with ByteDance, the parent company of the popular Chinese video service TikTok, and Tencent, the parent company of WeChat.

This will take effect after 45 days and applies to all companies and individuals under U.S. jurisdiction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.