Lawfare Archive: Trump Takes Aim at TikTok and WeChat
Oct 9, 2023
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Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, an associate professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and Dr. Ronald Deibert, founder of The Citizen Lab, discuss President Trump's executive orders targeting TikTok and WeChat. They also cover the broader U.S.-China relationship and the role of technology competition. Topics include concerns over WeChat and TikTok, actions taken against them, analysis of sanctions under IEPA, uncertainty surrounding Tencent's activities in the U.S., and ongoing developments in Microsoft's potential acquisition of TikTok.
The US-China relationship is going through a tense phase, marked by China's aggressive behavior challenging the status quo and the US advocating for a more aggressive stance.
The executive orders targeting WeChat and TikTok highlight the challenges of balancing data privacy and surveillance concerns while maintaining communication channels and people-to-people connections.
A comprehensive US strategy is needed to address Chinese technology and surveillance practices, including multilateral coordination, fostering alternative technologies, and engaging with international partners.
Deep dives
Growing tensions in US-China relations
According to the podcast, the US-China relationship is going through a tense phase unlike anything seen since the 1970s. China's assertive foreign policy and aggressive behavior are challenging the status quo in multiple regions, including the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Hong Kong. Additionally, changes in China's behavior have led to a shift in US policy towards China, with some officials questioning the benefits of cooperation and advocating for a more aggressive stance. Technology, including TikTok and WeChat, has become a focal point in the growing confrontation between the two countries.
The role of WeChat and TikTok in US-China relations
WeChat, operated by Tencent, plays a crucial role in the Chinese digital landscape and serves as a communication platform for Chinese diaspora and overseas Chinese communities. However, the US government's concerns about data privacy, surveillance, and Chinese government influence have led to the executive order targeting WeChat. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has also drawn negative attention and faces potential restrictions due to concerns about data security, censorship, and its connection to China's Communist Party. The podcast highlights the challenges of balancing the risks associated with these apps while maintaining communication channels and people-to-people connections.
Critiques and implications of the executive orders
The executive orders targeting TikTok and WeChat have raised various concerns and critiques. Some argue that the orders lack clarity and may have unintended consequences. The broad language of the orders leaves room for interpretation, and it remains unclear what specific transactions or interactions will be prohibited. The potential impact on US-China relations, personal connections, and the open internet is also a point of concern. The podcast suggests that a more systematic and coordinated approach to Chinese technology and surveillance is needed, taking into account the perspectives and involvement of US allies and partners.
Need for a comprehensive US strategy on Chinese technology
The podcast emphasizes the importance of developing a comprehensive US strategy to address the challenges posed by Chinese technology and surveillance practices. The US needs to align its policies to protect privacy, security, and democratic values while engaging in a broader global conversation. Coordination with international partners is crucial to ensure the effectiveness and coherence of any approach. The podcast also highlights the significance of fostering alternative technologies that offer secure communication channels, circumvent censorship, and promote an open and secure internet.
Importance of multilateral coordination and long-term vision
The podcast underscores the need for multilateral coordination and a long-term vision in addressing the complex issues surrounding Chinese technology. Engaging with partners in Europe, Asia, Africa, and other regions is essential to formulating a cohesive response. The US should strive to maintain an open and secure internet while addressing concerns related to surveillance, privacy, and political coercion. The focus should extend beyond specific companies like TikTok and WeChat and address larger challenges related to data exfiltration, information management, and the global implications of Chinese technology and surveillance practices.
From August 12, 2020: President Trump recently issued executive orders aimed at banning TikTok and WeChat from operating in the United States. To discuss the sanction, Bobby Chesney sat down with Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, an associate professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and a faculty affiliate with the Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Clements Center for National Security at UT; and Dr. Ronald Deibert, a professor of political science and the founder and director of The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. In addition to the executive orders concerning TikTok and WeChat, they also discussed the larger U.S.-China relationship and the role of technology competition in that space.
