1/6/2021

BUSINESS/CHINA/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: President Trump has signed an executive order banning Ant Group’s Alipay, WeChat Pay and 6 other Chinese apps in the US, according to Reuters. A senior administration official explained at a briefing that the order aims to prevent the Chinese government from gathering American users’ data and using it as a ‘mass tool for global oppression.’…

Most of the apps’ users are in China, especially the payment applications, which require Chinese bank accounts. That said, the order could still have a negative impact on a lot of Chinese-Americans who often travel between the two countries, as well as businesses that use the apps to cater to Chinese customers.”

-Mariella Moon, “Trump administration bans Alipay and WeChat Pay,” engadget.com, Jan. 6, 2021