Biden Rescinds Trump's Executive Order Banning TikTok and WeChat... China Calls It a "Precise Direction"

New Administrative Order, Ministry of Commerce Reviews Security Threats of China-Linked Apps

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The executive order issued by former President Donald Trump banning the use of the mobile messenger 'WeChat' and the video service platform 'TikTok,' both developed by Chinese companies, in the United States has been revoked.

According to foreign media on the 9th (local time), President Joe Biden canceled the previous executive orders of the Trump administration through an executive order on 'Protecting Sensitive Data of Americans from Foreign Adversaries.' The transaction ban executive orders targeting eight other communication and financial technology applications (apps) created by Chinese companies, such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, were also withdrawn.

Previously, former President Trump issued successive executive orders banning the use of TikTok, WeChat, and transactions involving Chinese apps, citing threats to national security posed by Chinese technology companies.

Instead of continuing the Trump-era executive orders, President Biden directed the Department of Commerce to conduct its own review to identify national security risks associated with software apps linked to China. The Department of Commerce will analyze transactions related to apps manufactured, supplied, or controlled by China and prepare recommendations on how to better protect Americans' personal information.

The White House stated, "The Biden administration will conduct standards-based decision-making and rigorous, evidence-based analysis to address risks posed by apps controlled by foreign entities, rather than banning popular apps."

AP News reported that the Biden administration's move reflects ongoing concerns that Americans' personal information could be exposed by popular apps linked to China, a rival of the United States. AP added that there are particular concerns about apps that collect users' personal data or are related to China's military or intelligence activities.

China officially welcomed the move. Gao Feng, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said at a press conference on the 10th, "We are closely watching the U.S. side's withdrawal of executive orders targeting Chinese apps such as TikTok and WeChat issued by the previous administration," and evaluated it as "a positive step in the right direction." However, he added, "The U.S. is simultaneously conducting security risk reviews on foreign apps," and expressed hope that "the U.S. side will treat Chinese companies fairly and not politicize economic and trade issues."

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