China, State-run Global Times Warns TikTok Ban Could Hinder Trump's Reelection
China, TikTok Ban May Actually Harm US Economy
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Cho Young-shin] China's state-run Global Times reported on the 3rd (local time) that although the U.S. government banned the use of the social media (SNS) platform 'TikTok' due to concerns over the leakage of Americans' personal information, this is merely a pretext. The real reason is a political judgment that it could negatively affect President Donald Trump's reelection.
The Global Times also reported that the executive order banning TikTok will trigger an outburst of anger among young Americans and will actually have a negative impact on the reelection. The newspaper explained that the ban was imposed out of fear that TikTok could be used as a medium to block President Trump's reelection.
In fact, TikTok has been pointed out as the cause of President Trump's disastrous rally turnout in Oklahoma last June. The New York Times (NYT) reported that the rally venue was empty because tens of thousands of American youths reserved tickets but did not show up. TikTok was used as a channel for 'no-show' protests (where people reserve but do not attend without notice).
From President Trump's perspective, TikTok is nothing less than a platform for the anti-Trump camp and a channel that hinders his reelection, which is a common view among Chinese media. The Global Times reported that the TikTok ban will have adverse effects not only on President Trump but also on the U.S. economy. Vanessa Pappas, TikTok's head of the U.S. operations, pointed out, "The TikTok ban will not only take away the social networking hub of American society but also cause the loss of numerous jobs, harming the U.S. economy on a large scale and local communities on a smaller scale."
There are other interpretations regarding the background of the TikTok ban. In U.S. political circles, TikTok's popularity is seen as a challenge from China to American tech companies. Wang Feng, a professor at Renmin University of China, explained, "The popularity of Chinese TikTok among young Americans is a potential challenge and crisis for American tech companies," adding, "The TikTok ban is another American attack on the Chinese economy." He further advised, "Chinese companies preparing for overseas investments, including in the U.S., should consider the potential and long-term political situations of the respective countries and be cautious about investing locally in the U.S."
Sun Lijian, director of the Financial Research Center at Fudan University, said, "This TikTok ban will accelerate the return of Chinese companies listed in the U.S. back to China," adding, "Many companies have started preparing for the worst-case scenario."
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