Published 10:50 IST, August 10th 2020

Trump's WeChat ban could could impact iPhone sales in China: Apple Analyst

Trump’s order banning U.S. companies from doing business with the Chinese messaging app 'WeChat' could have the biggest impact on iPhone sales in China

Reported by: Brigitte Fernandes
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President Donald Trump’s order banning U.S. companies from doing business with Chinese messaging app 'WeChat' could have biggest impact on iPhone sales as one of its most important markets is China. It could lead to an estimate of 25-30 percent drop in shipments, said an analyst, in an interview to Chinese mouthpiece. executive order to ban Tencent's WeChat would block all transactions involving WeChat, which would furr prohibit Apple from distributing WeChat to mobile devices through its global App Store, an Apple analyst Guo Mingji said.

" US's ban on WeChat could have biggest impact on iPhone, with an estimate of 25-30 percent drop on shipments. most pessimistic scenario is that Apple has to remove WeChat from global App Store", Guo Mingji, Apple analyst was quoted by Chinese mouthpiece Global times.

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WeChat an essential app in China

WeChat is one of most important apps used by mobile phone users in China. y use it for shopping, payments, email, web browsing and all forms of business and personal communications. Even visitors to country have to download app and load it with money in order to make small purchases. Without access to WeChat, consumers would likely to refuse to buy an iPhone in China, according to an online survey conducted in China by market analysts. 

Trump issued executive orders on Thursday to ban Chinese social networking apps TikTok and Tencent's WeChat from operating, if y are t sold to American companies within 45 days, citing national security concerns. US companies in China may also find it difficult to make business post ban on WeChat and or apps.

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risks for American firms in China

Furrmore, industry observers ted that if Apple loses Chinese customers due to ban on WeChat, it also means huge losses and risk for American firm since most high-end users of Apple will likely move to its Chinese rival Huawei.
WeChat's mini-apps function provides users with easy access to ir services, without having to download additional apps this service likely to disappear with WeChat ban.

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Trump signs executive order banning Chinese apps

Trump on August 6 signed an executive order banning American citizens and businesses from doing any transaction with Chinese-owned application TikTok, its parent company ByteDance Ltd. and messaging app WeChat after 45 days. Trump in his executive order stated that se steps have been taken because applications mentioned above threaten national security, foreign policy, and ecomy of United States. Trump has accused Chinese-owned apps of storing personal data of American citizens and possibly sharing it with Beijing. 

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READ | Trump signs executive order banning transaction with TikTok, WeChat in 45 days

10:50 IST, August 10th 2020