China sees no reason to keep iPhones if WeChat is banned

Posted:
in General Discussion
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has gone on record saying that the Chinese will have no reason to keep the iPhone and other Apple products if popular app WeChat is banned.

China sees no reason to keep iPhones if WeChat is banned


Tensions between the U.S. and China continue to mount as Trump continues to threaten to ban WeChat, a popular Chinese multi-purpose app. WeChat is commonly used for messaging, social media, and mobile payments, and was developed by Chinese multinational conglomerate Tencent.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Lijian Zhao said in a press conference the Chinese will have no reason to keep iPhones or Apple products should such a ban occur. He cited concerns that U.S. politicians have too much power to supress non-American businesses.

If WeChat is banned, then there will be no reason why Chinese shall keep iPhone and apple products. pic.twitter.com/qkKuMNQ87f

-- Lijian Zhao (@zlj517)


Trump's ban claims that Chinese-owned apps, such as TikTok and WeChat, threaten national security. He has stated that these apps must sell to the United States if they wish to continue their use in the U.S. The Chinese government has taken a firm no-sale stance.

The Trump administration has reportedly reached out to reassure American companies that their Chinese business dealings with messaging monolith WeChat will remain unaffected by a pending U.S. ban. However, if the app were removed from the App Store, it would likely mean a significant drop in iPhone sales -- up to 30% globally.

Several major companies in the United States, including Apple, have called for the Trump administration to end an executive order that would see the banning of WeChat and TikTok in the country, under claims it would cause harm to U.S. businesses trying to trade in China.
«134

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 64
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,092member
    Maybe China also will have no problem with Apple moving all iPhone production out of China.
    jcs2305civaStrangeDayschristophbben20mrmacgeekmagman1979hippoJapheywatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 64
    JFC_PAJFC_PA Posts: 932member
    It’s been stated by the feds the ban wouldn’t extend to China in any case. Since China bans certain apps domestically the U. S. doing the same shouldn’t be an issue. (Though my understanding is there’s no basis in reality for the planned ban as there’s no evidence of a security breach). 
    edited August 2020 christophbGeorgeBMachippowatto_cobrajoerock1234
  • Reply 3 of 64
    alanhalanh Posts: 75member
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    hippowatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 64
    FatmanFatman Posts: 513member
    WeChat is the OS of China. It’s functionally has expanded exponentially since it’s introduction. Many companies in China require payment through the app. It is also well known that it is the Chinese government’s way of tracking all activities of their citizens. It is so far ingrained in their society that it would be nearly impossible for a citizen to not have it installed on their smartphone.
    civamobirdpujones1hippowatto_cobraCarnage
  • Reply 5 of 64
    red oakred oak Posts: 1,087member
    It’s a matter of time before Apple pulls out of China.   And all that manufacturing, developer, retail, and R&D investments can find a new home 

    And it will signal to the rest of the world that China is now closed for business
    civaStrangeDayschristophbpujones1mrmacgeekmagman1979hipposvanstromwatto_cobracat52
  • Reply 6 of 64
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    alanh said:
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    Apple would never get an opportunity to buy WeChat. It would not be for sale to them under any scenario IMO. 

     In addition, Apple absolutely could NOT easily afford them, probably out of Apple's reach even if they stretched. WeChat belongs to Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings. They are one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth well over $500 billion as of mid-May 2020.
    edited August 2020 alanhmuthuk_vanalingamchemengin1viclauyycsvanstromCarnage
  • Reply 7 of 64
    civaciva Posts: 78member
    JFC_PA said:
    It’s been stated by the feds the ban wouldn’t extend to China in any case. Since China bans certain apps domestically the U. S. doing the same shouldn’t be an issue. (Though my understanding is there’s no basis in reality for the planned ban as there’s no evidence of a security breach). 
    What they’re basically saying is there’s no reason to keep iPhones if they don’t get to keep access to their spy app in the USA. 
    mrmacgeekhippomatrix077watto_cobracat52
  • Reply 8 of 64
    civaciva Posts: 78member

    gatorguy said:
    alanh said:
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    Apple would never get an opportunity to buy WeChat. It would not be for sale to them under any scenario IMO. 

     In addition, Apple absolutely could NOT easily afford them, probably out of even Apple's reach even if they stretched. WeChat belongs to Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings. They are one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth well over $500 billion as of mid-May 2020.
    gatorguy said:
    alanh said:
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    Apple would never get an opportunity to buy WeChat. It would not be for sale to them under any scenario IMO. 

     In addition, Apple absolutely could NOT easily afford them, probably out of even Apple's reach even if they stretched. WeChat belongs to Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings. They are one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth well over $500 billion as of mid-May 2020.
    And why would Apple want them? They have iMessage. 
    hippowatto_cobracat52
  • Reply 9 of 64
    sflocal said:
    Maybe China also will have no problem with Apple moving all iPhone production out of China.
    The problem with that logic is it would take time -years- for that to happen.  In the interim, a Chinese prohibition on Apple products could be almost instantaneous.  Also, Apple's manufacturing and assembly in the Special Economic Zone could potentially be affected.  That would hurt Apple pretty badly.  Now, I can hear you saying, "yeah but it would hurt the Chinese people too".  My response would be, "Sure.  Sure it would."  But then I'd ask, "When has the Chinese government had a problem doing something detrimental to it's citizenry?  The governmental interest, aka saving face will always take precedent. 

    alanh said:
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    1.  Apple could not easily afford to buy WeChat.  Not sure how you came to that conclusion.  2.  Tencent ain't selling WeChat.  3.  Even if they would sell it (they won't & why would they), WeChat is so ingrained in the Chinese economy and society the government would put the kibosh on that idea pdq.
    muthuk_vanalingamGeorgeBMacsvanstrom
  • Reply 10 of 64
    Ban that shit. They do the same to us.
    magman1979svanstromwatto_cobracat52
  • Reply 11 of 64
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,241member
    Fatman said:
    WeChat is the OS of China. It’s functionally has expanded exponentially since it’s introduction. Many companies in China require payment through the app. It is also well known that it is the Chinese government’s way of tracking all activities of their citizens. It is so far ingrained in their society that it would be nearly impossible for a citizen to not have it installed on their smartphone.
    Sounds like Facebook and gmail. Different country, different products, same results.

    It would be difficult to get rid of Facebook since many businesses, especially smaller ones, have a presence instead of paying for a web site. Way too many websites let you use your Facebook account to log on. Facebook has its Messenger app. I don't use it for obvious reasons but way too many people do. If you don't believe our government isn't monitoring and capturing every single Facebook access, you're wearing blinders. We're complaining about China's tactics while allowing Facebook, Google and others to do exactly the same thing.
    muthuk_vanalingamGeorgeBMachippowatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 64
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    I don’t like Trump, but I also don’t like all the grovelling Apple has to do to stay in China. 
    muthuk_vanalingammatrix077watto_cobraCarnage
  • Reply 13 of 64
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    "He cited concerns that U.S. politicians have too much power to supress non-American businesses." 

    Sadly, the world has woken up to this abuse of executive powers and is paying careful attention.

    It will take time for changes to take effect but the US semi conductor industry will be hit very hard and the industry itself is voicing its deep concerns. 

    https://www.fierceelectronics.com/electronics/analysts-condemn-trump-trade-handling-huawei-question-end-game

    Apple would never be able to buy WeChat for obvious reasons. WeChat will remain a Chinese platform. 
    edited August 2020 muthuk_vanalingamGeorgeBMac
  • Reply 14 of 64
    kbeekbee Posts: 25member
    alanh said:
    If a global 30% reduction in iPhone sales was ever iminent, Apple could easily afford to buy WeChat. It would be a good investment and basically a 'no-brainer'!
    (X) you don‘t know what WeChat is and what chinese people do with that app

    Sorry but this is the only possible explanation for your assumption. WeChat is not some iMessage or WhatsApp. With WeChat you transfer money, pay, order tickets, simply everything - there is no possible future or dimension Apple could buy WeChat
    https://qpsoftware.net/blog/all-wechat-features-2020
    muthuk_vanalingamGeorgeBMachippo
  • Reply 15 of 64
    tjwolftjwolf Posts: 424member
    Isn't this piece a bit of a no-op given that, as others have already pointed out, the US government has already stated that the ban is only for the US App Store?
    hippowatto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 64
    pslicepslice Posts: 151member
    red oak said:
    It’s a matter of time before Apple pulls out of China.   And all that manufacturing, developer, retail, and R&D investments can find a new home 
    This is another Trump screwup. I have 2 daughters working for Apple in China. Damn Donald Trump.
    edited August 2020 GeorgeBMacdigitoljony0
  • Reply 17 of 64
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    sflocal said:
    Maybe China also will have no problem with Apple moving all iPhone production out of China.

    Why?  Because Trump told you to hate China?
    Or is it one of his FactFree Allegations?

    Meanwhile, while he has you all obsessed with China, his buddy Vladimir continues to attack our country and its elections.
    kudu
  • Reply 18 of 64
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    red oak said:
    It’s a matter of time before Apple pulls out of China.   And all that manufacturing, developer, retail, and R&D investments can find a new home 

    And it will signal to the rest of the world that China is now closed for business

    Once Trump moves from the WhiteHouse to the BigHouse, none of that will be necessary.   The Trump made crisis will be over.
    digitoljony0
  • Reply 19 of 64
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    See what happens when we allow knockoff products to flood the market?

    The U.S. should have banned knockoff iPhones and shut those companies down by any means necessary. The fact China can gleefully ripoff American IP while the U.S. encourages it shows IP laws do not work and China can do whatever the fu** it wants to.

    Google creating a knockoff Apple platform was the genie out of the bottle and caused so many problems.
    hippowatto_cobracat52
  • Reply 20 of 64
    quenchquench Posts: 14member
    Apple,
    Please remove all of your manufacturing and assembly plants to the USA and to USA friendly countries and stop supporting China’s communistic progress. China is an enemy of the free worlds. 
    watto_cobracat52
Sign In or Register to comment.