China accuses Trump administration of 'abusing' power by trying to ban TikTok

China has accused US President Donald Trump administration on Monday, September 28 of abusing ‘national power’ by trying to ban TikTok. This came after Trump’s ban on video-sharing app’s downloads were halted by US federal Judge Carl Nichols on Sunday that too, just a few hours before it was meant to go on effect. While US federal judge provided more time to TikTok to get approval of concerned authorities in China and finalise a deal with Oracle and Walmart, as per reports, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin described Trump’s initial order as “bullying behaviour”. 

Amid soaring US-China relations over a range of issues, Wenbin reportedly also said that order was a proof of US ‘abusing’ national power to ‘unreasonably’ suppress companies of foreign nations. Instead, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, US should provide a ‘fair, just, open, and n-discriminatory’ environment for enterprises across globe investing and operating in United States.

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However, while China reportedly said that Trump administration is cornering ByteDance-owned company into giving full ownership of app, that reportedly has over 100 million American subscribers, to an American rival, US federal court issued a temporary block on order. TikTok’s lawyers have reportedly argued that ban was ‘punitive’ and had political motives as opposed to genuine concerns over national security. More details on injunction remain sealed as of w by Washington court. 

Read - China Stooge Goes Gaga As US' TikTok Ban Halted; Asked 'will Chinese Court Unban Google?'

Trump’s attempts to limit TikTok’s US operations

US President Donald Trump had banned China’s ByteDance-owned app, TikTok in US citing national security concerns. According to executive order signed by Trump on August 6, all citizens and businesses in country were to be banned from indulging in any transactions or deals with TikTok, Bytedance and WeChat which was to take effect in 45 days. 

On August 14, he signed ar or giving time to ByteDance to disinvest in TikTok within 90 days and hand over control of operations in America. Soon after, US Commerce Department postponed ban on app till September 27 allowing it time finalise deal with Oracle and Walmart. Donald Trump also stated that US partners of company will need to have 'total control' of operations of app or deal won't be approved. 

Read - Trump Administration Stands Firm On TikTok Download Ban; Court To Rule

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