US White House National Security Advisor: "WeChat and TikTok Will Eventually Be Banned in the US"

Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Advisor, Reveals This During Vietnam Visit

▲Robert O'Brien, U.S. White House National Security Advisor [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Robert O'Brien, the U.S. White House National Security Advisor, claimed that the ban on the use of Chinese social networking services (SNS) 'WeChat' and 'TikTok' in the United States will eventually be implemented.

The executive orders by the Donald Trump administration to ban the use of WeChat and TikTok, citing threats to national security, are currently on hold due to successive injunctions issued by the courts.

According to Bloomberg on the 21st (local time), O'Brien, who is officially visiting Vietnam, stated at a lecture at the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy that "Since court litigation is ongoing, the federal government will wait and see until the courts clarify what measures they can or cannot take regarding these bans."

He expressed his view that "The president's authority to ban these apps will ultimately be enforced," adding, "Even if the administration changes, these bans will be implemented."

He also said, "The administration is also reviewing other Chinese companies that own popular apps which collect a lot of data from Americans, and there may be some measures taken," adding, "We need to watch what decisions the president will make."

Regarding the South China Sea issue, he warned, "China needs to learn to act according to international rules," and "It should not behave as if it owns the South China Sea like its own lake."

During his 3-day, 2-night visit to Vietnam, O'Brien met consecutively with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich, and Minister of Public Security Lam, discussing ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

He is scheduled to move to the Philippines on the 22nd, attend a defense equipment handover ceremony on the 23rd, and hold talks with Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin and Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana.

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