TikTok THREAT: China ‘prepared to fight’ Donald Trump over app branding US as ‘demented’
CHINA has warned it is "fully prepared to fight" the US for ownership of TikTok as the battle between the two nations over the social media app escalates.
Donald Trump's proposed TikTok ban criticised by expert
China’s state-run Global Times criticised Donald Trump following a federal judge’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction on the TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance, ban in the US. The media outlet claimed America is “shamelessly robbing a Chinese company” in a recent article.
It read: "The US is shamelessly robbing a Chinese company in an attempt to drive it away from the products it has created and make US companies its new owner.
“China won't allow this. We will defend our rights to the end.
“For the sake of TikTok and other Chinese companies, we will act to prevent globalization from becoming Americanization."
The Global Times is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper.
It praised the District of Columbia judge Carl Nichols' decision to grant an injection, saving TikTok from being removed from US mobile app stores.
The publication said the move “served as a buffer to the Trump administration’s insane suppression of TikTok”.
It added: "The US government requests that ByteDance must completely withdraw from TikTok's operation and hand over its control on TikTok to a US entity.
“This is blunt bullying. It's a robbery of Chinese company's achievements under the guise of security.
“This is a flagrant subversion of international business ethics."
READ MORE: China vs US: Trump slaps rigid new sanctions on Chinese tech giant
Related articles
President Trump previously issued orders threatening to restrict TikTok’s availability to download in the US.
Earlier this month, a deal was struck between TikTok, Oracle and Walmart that will see the US companies own 20 percent of a new organisation named TikTok Global.
But Mr Trump suggested he would not support a deal that does not provide the US with “total control”.
ByteDance also indicated that it would not include its software algorithms in the deal.
TikTok filed a legal request last week to stop the ban on its app in the US which was due to be enforced on Monday.
DON'T MISS
US TikTok ban cancelled? Donald Trump approves new video app deal [UPDATE]
Worried about TikTok ban? Whatever you do don't download the 'Pro' app [INSIGHT]
China launches secretive new data policy following Trump TikTok ban [ANALYSIS]
However, the new last minute injunction means the popular app will remain in American app stores.
The US has until 12 November to negotiate the terms of the TikTok deal.
The judge rejected a request to extend this deadline, meaning a deal must be confirmed before November or risk TikTok restrictions in the US.
TikTok’s attorney, John Hall, told the judge that restricting the app would be “no different than the Government locking the doors to a public forum, roping off that town square”.
The US Commerce Department said Mr Trump’s orders were “fully consistent with the law and promotes legitimate national security interests”.
Related articles
TikTok has denied claims that its Chinese ownership is a threat to American users’ data.
About 100 million people in the US use the social media app.
Vanessa Pappas, TikTok General Manager, said even a short-term ban on the app would have a dramatic effect on its business.
The Global Times said the US’s China policy is “demented now”.
It added: “Its maximum pressure to suppress Chinese companies and products largely stems from its selfish needs to aid Trump's re-election.
“Its outrageous instigation caters to the extreme sentiments of some people. It severely damages the interests and reputation of the US as a commercial society."
