
More Chinese apps will find themselves ensnared in a U.S. campaign aimed at purging “untrusted” Chinese software from the country’s digital networks after President Donald Trump’s August executive orders prohibiting American residents from doing business with TikTok, WeChat or the apps’ Chinese owners.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro made the remarks on Monday during an interview with Fox Business.
“It is critical that this country not use apps that are made in China, or that can take our data and go to servers in China. That data will be used to surveil, monitor and track you,” Navarro said during the interview.
“That’s the policy position underlying why we have gone after TikTok and WeChat, and there will be others because China … is basically going out around the world trying to acquire technology and influence,” Navarro added.
Last week, TikTok sued the Trump administration over its executive orders, claiming that the U.S. government did not conduct a fair process in deciding that the short video app must be blocked in the country if it is not sold to an American company.
Last month, when asked at a news conference about whether his government would exert pressure on more Chinese companies after the TikTok ban, Trump said, “We’re looking at other things, yes.”
Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)
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