US TikTok ban aims to weaken China & protect Big Tech monopolies
Mar 18, 2024
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US government's plan to ban TikTok is seen as part of economic war on China and to protect Big Tech monopolies. Podcast explores US Congress movements, India banning Chinese apps, Silicon Valley lobbying. Trump's attempted TikTok ban and the role of Israel/Palestine. Discussion on US trade war with Japan, 'Free market' fundamentalist hypocrisy, and Washington Consensus. US not truly seeking 'competition' with China.
US targeting Chinese tech companies like TikTok to protect US tech monopolies and impede China's technological advancement.
US policymakers display hypocrisy in advocating free trade while using protectionist measures to aid US tech firms.
Deep dives
Evolution of US Policy Towards Chinese Tech Companies
The US government's recent legislative actions targeting Chinese tech companies like TikTok reveal a broader trend of economic warfare against China to protect US tech monopolies, exemplified by efforts to force Chinese companies to divest or face bans. This approach aims to impede China's technological advancement and compete with US corporate dominance, echoing historical economic conflicts like the US's past disputes with Japan over semiconductors.
US Hypocrisy in Economic Policies
US policymakers have displayed a consistent pattern of hypocritical economic policies, advocating free trade for others while employing protectionist measures themselves, such as imposing tariffs on Japanese tech products in the past to aid US tech firms. This contradictory stance highlights the self-serving nature of US economic strategies, leveraging protectionism when advantageous and promoting free market principles selectively.
Geopolitical Implications of Tech Wars
The US government's tech warfare against China extends beyond economic interests, encompassing geopolitical objectives to maintain global hegemony by limiting China's innovation capabilities and dependence on US technology. This strategy aligns with historical power dynamics where dominant nations employ protectionist tactics to prevent emerging competitors from challenging their economic supremacy, reflecting a broader imperialistic agenda aimed at consolidating US corporate control worldwide.
The US government's plan to either ban TikTok or force owner ByteDance to sell it to a (US) company is part of Washington's economic war on China, and an attempt to protect Big Tech monopolies in Silicon Valley. Ben Norton explains.
VIDEO: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1I7reuh86CM
Sources and links here: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/03/18/us-tiktok-ban-china-tech-monopolies/
Topics
0:00 US Congress moves to ban TikTok
2:04 US tech war on China
6:12 India bans Chinese apps, giving US Big Tech total control
7:51 Protectionism or economic war?
9:18 Silicon Valley lobbied against TikTok
10:49 Donald Trump tried to ban TikTok... before doing 180
13:27 Role of Israel/Palestine/Gaza?
14:54 US trade war with Japan in 1980s
16:51 "Free market" fundamentalist hypocrisy
18:45 The Washington Consensus
20:24 US does not truly want "competition" with China
21:38 Outro
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