Trump Signs Executive Order To Ban TikTok And WeChat In 45 Days

Donald Trump has issued two executive orders under which all transactions with TikTok and WeChat will be banned in the United States in 45 days. For TikTok, the ban could still be avoided if an American company acquires its operations in the United States.

On August 6th, the United States President Donald Trump signed two executive orders "addressing the threat posed by WeChat and TikTok." The two orders forbid "any transactions" between the United States citizens and ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, and WeChat, with both orders coming into effect in 45 days (on September 20th, 2020).

I […] find that additional steps must be taken to deal with the national emergency with respect to the information and communications technology and services supply chain […] At this time, action must be taken to address the threat posed by one mobile application in particular, TikTok.[…]
The following actions shall be prohibited beginning 45 days after the date of this order, to the extent permitted under applicable law: any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, with ByteDance Ltd. (a.k.a. Zìjié Tiàodòng), Beijing, China, or its subsidiaries.

The orders follow the July 31st, 2020, statement by Donald Trump in which he announced that the United States government was considering banning TikTok.

Previously, the American multinational technology company Microsoft expressed the intention to acquire ByteDance's TikTok operations in the US. Yesterday on August 6th, sources indicated that Microsoft could be aiming for buying out all of TikTok's global business, including its operations in India, where the app has remained banned since June 30th this year. Microsoft and ByteDance have time until September 15th to reach an agreement.