The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed new regulations that would effectively ban Chinese software and hardware components in vehicles on American roads. This proposal, which cites national security concerns, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, escalating the already fraught relationship between the world's two largest economies.

The proposed regulation aims to address what U.S. officials describe as potential risks associated with data collection and foreign manipulation of connected vehicles. If implemented, the rule would require American and other major automakers to remove key Chinese technology from vehicles sold in the U.S. market that are connected to the internet or equipped with navigation systems.

In response to this development, China's Ministry of Commerce issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, urging the United States to "stop unreasonable suppression" of Chinese firms. The ministry spokesperson characterised the U.S. action as lacking "factual basis" and violating "the principles of market economy and fair competition."

"The U.S. move is a typical protectionist approach," the spokesperson declared, emphasising that it "seriously affects the normal cooperation between China and the United States in the field of connected vehicles, disrupts the global automotive industry supply chain, and harms the interests of United States consumers."

The proposed ban represents a significant escalation in U.S. restrictions on Chinese automotive technology and components. It would effectively close the U.S. market to Chinese-made vehicles, many of which incorporate advanced connected technologies. This move aligns with broader U.S. efforts to limit Chinese technological influence, following previous export bans on semiconductors and other high-tech components.

U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the potential for Chinese-connected vehicles to collect sensitive data on American drivers and infrastructure. There are also fears that such vehicles could be subject to foreign manipulation, potentially compromising road safety and national security.

The automotive industry, which has become increasingly reliant on global supply chains and technological partnerships, now faces the prospect of significant disruption. Major automakers may need to redesign their vehicle architectures and find alternative suppliers for key components, a process that could prove costly and time-consuming.

Critics of the proposed ban argue that it could limit consumer choice and potentially increase vehicle prices in the U.S. market. They also warn that such moves could invite retaliatory actions from China, further complicating international trade relations and potentially harming U.S. businesses operating in China.

Supporters of the measure, however, contend that the security risks posed by Chinese-connected vehicle technology outweigh these potential economic drawbacks. They argue that protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure is paramount in an era of increasing cyber threats and geopolitical tensions.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry has called for immediate revocation of the proposed restrictions, setting the stage for what could be a protracted dispute. "The U.S. should immediately revoke its restrictive moves," the ministry spokesperson stated, signalling China's unwillingness to accept the proposed regulations without challenge.

This latest confrontation comes amid ongoing efforts by both nations to assert technological dominance and protect their respective national interests. It underscores the complex interplay between national security concerns, economic interests, and technological advancement in the modern global economy.

As the public comment period for the proposed regulations begins, stakeholders from across the automotive and tech industries are expected to weigh in. The outcome of this process could have far-reaching implications for the future of connected and autonomous vehicles, international trade relations, and the broader technological landscape.

The dispute also highlights the growing challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in an increasingly fragmented global market, where geopolitical considerations can rapidly reshape industry norms and regulatory environments.

The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed new regulations that would effectively ban Chinese software and hardware components in vehicles on American roads. This proposal, which cites national security concerns, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, escalating the already fraught relationship between the world's two largest economies.

The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed new regulations that would effectively ban Chinese software and hardware components in vehicles on American roads. This proposal, which cites national security concerns, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, escalating the already fraught relationship between the world's two largest economies. The proposed regulation aims to address what U.S. officials describe as potential risks associated with data collection and foreign manipulation of connected vehicles. If implemented, the rule would require American and other major automakers to remove key Chinese technology from vehicles sold in the U.S. market that are connected to the internet or equipped with navigation systems. In response to this development, China's Ministry of Commerce issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, urging the United States to "stop unreasonable suppression" of Chinese firms. The ministry spokesperson characterised the U.S. action as lacking "factual basis" and violating "the principles of market economy and fair competition." "The U.S. move is a typical protectionist approach," the spokesperson declared, emphasising that it "seriously affects the normal cooperation between China and the United States in the field of connected vehicles, disrupts the global automotive industry supply chain, and harms the interests of United States consumers." The proposed ban represents a significant escalation in U.S. restrictions on Chinese automotive technology and components. It would effectively close the U.S. market to Chinese-made vehicles, many of which incorporate advanced connected technologies. This move aligns with broader U.S. efforts to limit Chinese technological influence, following previous export bans on semiconductors and other high-tech components. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the potential for Chinese-connected vehicles to collect sensitive data on American drivers and infrastructure. There are also fears that such vehicles could be subject to foreign manipulation, potentially compromising road safety and national security. The automotive industry, which has become increasingly reliant on global supply chains and technological partnerships, now faces the prospect of significant disruption. Major automakers may need to redesign their vehicle architectures and find alternative suppliers for key components, a process that could prove costly and time-consuming. Critics of the proposed ban argue that it could limit consumer choice and potentially increase vehicle prices in the U.S. market. They also warn that such moves could invite retaliatory actions from China, further complicating international trade relations and potentially harming U.S. businesses operating in China. Supporters of the measure, however, contend that the security risks posed by Chinese-connected vehicle technology outweigh these potential economic drawbacks. They argue that protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure is paramount in an era of increasing cyber threats and geopolitical tensions. The Chinese Commerce Ministry has called for immediate revocation of the proposed restrictions, setting the stage for what could be a protracted dispute. "The U.S. should immediately revoke its restrictive moves," the ministry spokesperson stated, signalling China's unwillingness to accept the proposed regulations without challenge. This latest confrontation comes amid ongoing efforts by both nations to assert technological dominance and protect their respective national interests. It underscores the complex interplay between national security concerns, economic interests, and technological advancement in the modern global economy. As the public comment period for the proposed regulations begins, stakeholders from across the automotive and tech industries are expected to weigh in. The outcome of this process could have far-reaching implications for the future of connected and autonomous vehicles, international trade relations, and the broader technological landscape. The dispute also highlights the growing challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in an increasingly fragmented global market, where geopolitical considerations can rapidly reshape industry norms and regulatory environments.

US ban on Chinese auto tech sparks diplomatic tension

TikTok said on Tuesday it filed a federal lawsuit challenging a law signed by US President Joe Biden that would force the sale or ban of the social media app. Watch in for more details!

TikTok sues US to block potential ban

President Joe Biden signed a law Thursday virtually banning all imports from the Chinese region of Xinjiang in response to concerns over forced labour, as US companies find themselves caught in the diplomatic fray.

The bill, which was approved by Congress last week,&nbsp;bans&nbsp;the import of all goods from the region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did not involve forced labour.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act sets its sights on three products in particular: cotton, of which Xinjiang is one of the world's major producers; tomatoes; and polysilicon, a material used to produce solar panels.

In a rare bipartisan move, the Senate last week unanimously voted to make the United States the first country to ban virtually all imports from the region.

The vote came despite lobbying by US firms, many of which are heavily dependent on Chinese suppliers and already facing massive disruption due to trade disturbances caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The law gives the government "new tools to prevent goods made with forced labour in Xinjiang from entering US markets and to further promote accountability for persons and entities responsible for these abuses," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, calling on China to end "genocide and crimes against humanity."

The law also requires the US president to impose sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in the region.

Beijing on Friday slammed the measure, accusing the United States of "violating international law" and "maliciously slandering" China.

China's foreign ministry urged the United States to "immediately correct its mistakes," threatening to "make a further response," in a statement.&nbsp;

An estimated 20 per cent of garments imported into the United States each year include some cotton from Xinjiang.

Rights experts, witnesses and the US government say more than one million Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking Muslims are incarcerated in camps in an effort to root out their Islamic cultural traditions and forcibly assimilate them into China's Han majority.

Washington has described the campaign as genocide.

Republican opposition has criticized the White House for slow movement on the matter.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the relative discretion with which Biden signed the text, despite having made countering China a major axis of his foreign policy.

The White House released only a photo of the signing on Twitter, while Biden signed a law -- with cameras rolling -- intended to support research against a rare neurodegenerative disease.

He signs bills "off camera sometimes (and) sometimes on camera. We support the bill and obviously we've been leading the effort in the world to call out human rights abuses," Psaki said.

Washington has already hit some Chinese officials and businesses with sanctions and announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in protest of the conditions in Xinjiang.

Beijing describes the sites as vocational training centers and says it is seeking to reduce the allure of radical Islam following deadly attacks.

Implementation of the law and the US offensive against certain Chinese economic interests is causing friction for some companies, such as US semiconductor giant Intel, which on Thursday issued an apology over a letter to its suppliers.

In the wake of the US bill's passage in the Senate, the company had asked suppliers to avoid sourcing in the region.

Following public outcry in China, the chipmaker&nbsp;expressed its regret for the comments in a statement posted on Weibo, the Chinese social media platform.

"We believe the private sector and the international community should oppose the PRC's weaponizing of its markets to stifle support for human rights," Psaki said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China.

"We also think that American companies should never feel the need to apologize for standing up for fundamental human rights or opposing repression," she added.

President Joe Biden signed a law Thursday virtually banning all imports from the Chinese region of Xinjiang in response to concerns over forced labour, as US companies find themselves caught in the diplomatic fray.

President Joe Biden signed a law Thursday virtually banning all imports from the Chinese region of Xinjiang in response to concerns over forced labour, as US companies find themselves caught in the diplomatic fray. The bill, which was approved by Congress last week, bans the import of all goods from the region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did not involve forced labour. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act sets its sights on three products in particular: cotton, of which Xinjiang is one of the world's major producers; tomatoes; and polysilicon, a material used to produce solar panels. In a rare bipartisan move, the Senate last week unanimously voted to make the United States the first country to ban virtually all imports from the region. The vote came despite lobbying by US firms, many of which are heavily dependent on Chinese suppliers and already facing massive disruption due to trade disturbances caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The law gives the government "new tools to prevent goods made with forced labour in Xinjiang from entering US markets and to further promote accountability for persons and entities responsible for these abuses," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, calling on China to end "genocide and crimes against humanity." The law also requires the US president to impose sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in the region. Beijing on Friday slammed the measure, accusing the United States of "violating international law" and "maliciously slandering" China. China's foreign ministry urged the United States to "immediately correct its mistakes," threatening to "make a further response," in a statement. An estimated 20 per cent of garments imported into the United States each year include some cotton from Xinjiang. Rights experts, witnesses and the US government say more than one million Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking Muslims are incarcerated in camps in an effort to root out their Islamic cultural traditions and forcibly assimilate them into China's Han majority. Washington has described the campaign as genocide. Republican opposition has criticized the White House for slow movement on the matter. On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the relative discretion with which Biden signed the text, despite having made countering China a major axis of his foreign policy. The White House released only a photo of the signing on Twitter, while Biden signed a law -- with cameras rolling -- intended to support research against a rare neurodegenerative disease. He signs bills "off camera sometimes (and) sometimes on camera. We support the bill and obviously we've been leading the effort in the world to call out human rights abuses," Psaki said. Washington has already hit some Chinese officials and businesses with sanctions and announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in protest of the conditions in Xinjiang. Beijing describes the sites as vocational training centers and says it is seeking to reduce the allure of radical Islam following deadly attacks. Implementation of the law and the US offensive against certain Chinese economic interests is causing friction for some companies, such as US semiconductor giant Intel, which on Thursday issued an apology over a letter to its suppliers. In the wake of the US bill's passage in the Senate, the company had asked suppliers to avoid sourcing in the region. Following public outcry in China, the chipmaker expressed its regret for the comments in a statement posted on Weibo, the Chinese social media platform. "We believe the private sector and the international community should oppose the PRC's weaponizing of its markets to stifle support for human rights," Psaki said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China. "We also think that American companies should never feel the need to apologize for standing up for fundamental human rights or opposing repression," she added.

President Biden bans imports from China's Xinjiang over force labour

Several families in the US find themselves separated from their loved ones more than 13,000 kms away across two continents as the Biden administration’s ban on travellers from India in view of the unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has come into effect.

In some cases, the main earning member of the family has been left stranded in India, with no way to rejoin their spouses and kids in the US while in some other instances, mothers have been separated from their young children as one of the unintended consequences of the travel ban announced by President Joe Biden last week.

The proclamation signed by Biden on April 30 came into effect on May 4.

Certain categories of students, academics, journalists and individuals have been exempted from the ban, according to the US State Department.

The travel ban is for an indefinite period given the major outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Some of these people say that they are now stuck in India for an indefinite period as the American consulates have also been shut down. “My husband who has been on H-1B since 2008 had to travel to India on April 17 to be with his dying father and to perform last rites. Since then, the US embassy in India has been closed. Although he has an approved H-1B visa, he needs visa stamping on his passport and also to attend an in-person interview at the US mission in Delhi,” Neha Mahajan, co-founder of Skilled Immigrants in America, said.

“I am here with our two daughters who miss their dad during this extremely hard time for the family in the middle of this pandemic,” she said.

Nashville-based Payal Raj said that she has no idea when and how will she get back from India to be with her nine-year-old child. “The bans are specifically targeted towards non-immigrants and their families and looking at the history of other country’s bans, this could go on for months or even a year.

“There are thousands of people stuck with heart-breaking stories of coming here to attend to dying parents and then getting stuck due to the bans and not able to go back to their kids and spouses,” Raj told PTI from India.

Abhinav Amresh finds himself stranded in Mumbai away from his kids because the US Consulate in Mumbai has been shut down as a result of which he cannot get his H-1B visa stamped.

The next available appointment that he is now getting is for September. Unless his visa is stamped, he cannot return to the US. “The kids have never been away from their father for so long and the passing of their beloved grandmother and even their dad being away is already putting them under a lot of stress. My wife and I are primary caregivers for the kids and share all household responsibilities. Also, I am the main driver at home to bring groceries, take kids to their doctor (they have a visit and vaccination due) and all regular things,” Amresh said.

The whole situation is becoming very stressful, he said. “My only question to the authorities is - despite the exceptions in the travel ban, there are many people like me with young US citizen kids who had to travel on family emergencies but do not have a valid visa stamping. How can they come back to the US and unite with their family? This is a humanitarian crisis and child rights issue and if travel ban means visa ban then why not say so,” he said.

Utkarsha Hazarnis, who has been in the US since 2013 and now stranded in India as his visa cannot be stamped due to the closure of the US consulate, urged the Biden administration to take active steps for those who have jobs in the US and are currently stuck in India.

“Active measures and alternatives should be worked on to help such cases,” he said.

He had travelled to India to see his ailing father in Mumbai.

Another Indian-American, who requested anonymity, said that she has no clue when the consulates would open. “We have no clue when this proclamation will end. We are not able to meet our families due to the fear of getting stuck over there in India. Of course, nobody is stopping us now, but we bought a house here. Our kids are studying here for five years… This is not an easy situation for us to handle,” she said.

Hemanth Modadugu was supposed to travel to India for H-1B stamping and get married in May 2020. However, he had to cancel. He left the US for India in April. “I left Seattle on April 24. I reached Doha and within the next 10 minutes, I received an email that all visa appointments are cancelled. I cannot return to the US without stamping. So, I continued my journey to India. Even if I had a hint of appointment cancellation while in the US, I would have tried to cancel my trip,” he said.

“Now, on top of visa appointment cancellation, we received the news of a travel ban. Why leave H-1B visa holders or those who came to India for stamping from exemptions?” Hemanth asked.

The new travel restrictions have been imposed for an indefinite period and will require another presidential proclamation to end it. India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past week.

According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded.

With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.&nbsp;

Several families in the US find themselves separated from their loved ones more than 13,000 kms away across two continents as the Biden administration’s ban on travellers from India in view of the unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has come into effect.

Several families in the US find themselves separated from their loved ones more than 13,000 kms away across two continents as the Biden administration’s ban on travellers from India in view of the unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has come into effect. In some cases, the main earning member of the family has been left stranded in India, with no way to rejoin their spouses and kids in the US while in some other instances, mothers have been separated from their young children as one of the unintended consequences of the travel ban announced by President Joe Biden last week. The proclamation signed by Biden on April 30 came into effect on May 4. Certain categories of students, academics, journalists and individuals have been exempted from the ban, according to the US State Department. The travel ban is for an indefinite period given the major outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Some of these people say that they are now stuck in India for an indefinite period as the American consulates have also been shut down. “My husband who has been on H-1B since 2008 had to travel to India on April 17 to be with his dying father and to perform last rites. Since then, the US embassy in India has been closed. Although he has an approved H-1B visa, he needs visa stamping on his passport and also to attend an in-person interview at the US mission in Delhi,” Neha Mahajan, co-founder of Skilled Immigrants in America, said. “I am here with our two daughters who miss their dad during this extremely hard time for the family in the middle of this pandemic,” she said. Nashville-based Payal Raj said that she has no idea when and how will she get back from India to be with her nine-year-old child. “The bans are specifically targeted towards non-immigrants and their families and looking at the history of other country’s bans, this could go on for months or even a year. “There are thousands of people stuck with heart-breaking stories of coming here to attend to dying parents and then getting stuck due to the bans and not able to go back to their kids and spouses,” Raj told PTI from India. Abhinav Amresh finds himself stranded in Mumbai away from his kids because the US Consulate in Mumbai has been shut down as a result of which he cannot get his H-1B visa stamped. The next available appointment that he is now getting is for September. Unless his visa is stamped, he cannot return to the US. “The kids have never been away from their father for so long and the passing of their beloved grandmother and even their dad being away is already putting them under a lot of stress. My wife and I are primary caregivers for the kids and share all household responsibilities. Also, I am the main driver at home to bring groceries, take kids to their doctor (they have a visit and vaccination due) and all regular things,” Amresh said. The whole situation is becoming very stressful, he said. “My only question to the authorities is - despite the exceptions in the travel ban, there are many people like me with young US citizen kids who had to travel on family emergencies but do not have a valid visa stamping. How can they come back to the US and unite with their family? This is a humanitarian crisis and child rights issue and if travel ban means visa ban then why not say so,” he said. Utkarsha Hazarnis, who has been in the US since 2013 and now stranded in India as his visa cannot be stamped due to the closure of the US consulate, urged the Biden administration to take active steps for those who have jobs in the US and are currently stuck in India. “Active measures and alternatives should be worked on to help such cases,” he said. He had travelled to India to see his ailing father in Mumbai. Another Indian-American, who requested anonymity, said that she has no clue when the consulates would open. “We have no clue when this proclamation will end. We are not able to meet our families due to the fear of getting stuck over there in India. Of course, nobody is stopping us now, but we bought a house here. Our kids are studying here for five years… This is not an easy situation for us to handle,” she said. Hemanth Modadugu was supposed to travel to India for H-1B stamping and get married in May 2020. However, he had to cancel. He left the US for India in April. “I left Seattle on April 24. I reached Doha and within the next 10 minutes, I received an email that all visa appointments are cancelled. I cannot return to the US without stamping. So, I continued my journey to India. Even if I had a hint of appointment cancellation while in the US, I would have tried to cancel my trip,” he said. “Now, on top of visa appointment cancellation, we received the news of a travel ban. Why leave H-1B visa holders or those who came to India for stamping from exemptions?” Hemanth asked. The new travel restrictions have been imposed for an indefinite period and will require another presidential proclamation to end it. India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past week. According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded. With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.

Many Indian-American families separated due to US ban on travellers from India

US retail giant Walmart said Thursday it had teamed with Microsoft in a bid to buy Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok.

The app has been at the center of a diplomatic storm between Washington and Beijing after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop doing business with its Chinese parent company ByteDance.&nbsp;

The move effectively set a deadline for a sale of TikTok to a US company.

"We are confident that a Walmart and Microsoft partnership would meet both the expectations of US TikTok users while satisfying the concerns of US government regulators," the retailer told AFP.

Walmart is likely interested in TikTok to better connect with younger shoppers who turn to the internet for lifestyle trends, according to analysts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-in-trouble-again-with-an-offensive-holocaust-trend-323437">Also read|&nbsp;TikTok in trouble again with an 'offensive' Holocaust trend</a>

Younger people are much less likely to shop at Walmart, whether online or in real-world stores, according to GlobalData Retail managing director Neil Saunders.

"A social platform like TikTok would give Walmart easy access to the very audience it wants and needs to attract," Saunders said.

Having access to the social media sensation could help Walmart's marketing campaigns while tapping into "a rich seam of data" or product development and more, according to Saunders.

Walmart teaming with US technology colossus Microsoft was "the final piece of the puzzle that ultimately cements Microsoft successfully acquiring TikTok's US operations for likely $35 billion to $40 billion," according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives.

'High stakes poker'

"While deal negotiations will be complex with a number of technology and data privacy issues that need to be worked out before an agreement is inked, we believe ByteDance is playing a game of high stakes poker with Microsoft looking like the only true white knight around," Ives said in a note to investors.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-decided-to-leave-the-company-tiktok-ceo-kevin-mayer-resigns-amid-us-government-crackdown-323355">Also read|&nbsp;'I have decided to leave the company': TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer resigns amid US government crackdown</a>

TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer said Wednesday he had quit the company as tensions soar between Washington and Beijing over the Chinese-owned video platform.

Mayer's departure was taken by some in the market as a sign that a deal to sell TikTok is imminent. Oracle is also said to be in the bidding

Mayer's resignation came just days after TikTok filed a lawsuit challenging a crackdown by the US government over claims the wildly popular social media app can be used to spy on Americans.

TikTok, which has been downloaded 175 million times in the US and more than a billion times around the world, argued in the suit that Trump's order was a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The platform — on which users share often playful short-form videos — is not "an unusual and extraordinary threat," it said.

The platform's kaleidoscopic feeds of clips feature everything from dance routines and hair-dye tutorials to jokes about daily life and politics.&nbsp;

The company holds firm that it has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, and Beijing has blasted Trump's crackdown as political.

US retail giant Walmart said Thursday it had teamed with Microsoft in a bid to buy Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok. The app has been at the center of a diplomatic storm between Washington and Beijing after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop doing business with its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

US retail giant Walmart said Thursday it had teamed with Microsoft in a bid to buy Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok. The app has been at the center of a diplomatic storm between Washington and Beijing after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop doing business with its Chinese parent company ByteDance. The move effectively set a deadline for a sale of TikTok to a US company. "We are confident that a Walmart and Microsoft partnership would meet both the expectations of US TikTok users while satisfying the concerns of US government regulators," the retailer told AFP. Walmart is likely interested in TikTok to better connect with younger shoppers who turn to the internet for lifestyle trends, according to analysts. Also read| TikTok in trouble again with an 'offensive' Holocaust trend Younger people are much less likely to shop at Walmart, whether online or in real-world stores, according to GlobalData Retail managing director Neil Saunders. "A social platform like TikTok would give Walmart easy access to the very audience it wants and needs to attract," Saunders said. Having access to the social media sensation could help Walmart's marketing campaigns while tapping into "a rich seam of data" or product development and more, according to Saunders. Walmart teaming with US technology colossus Microsoft was "the final piece of the puzzle that ultimately cements Microsoft successfully acquiring TikTok's US operations for likely $35 billion to $40 billion," according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. 'High stakes poker' "While deal negotiations will be complex with a number of technology and data privacy issues that need to be worked out before an agreement is inked, we believe ByteDance is playing a game of high stakes poker with Microsoft looking like the only true white knight around," Ives said in a note to investors. Also read| 'I have decided to leave the company': TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer resigns amid US government crackdown TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer said Wednesday he had quit the company as tensions soar between Washington and Beijing over the Chinese-owned video platform. Mayer's departure was taken by some in the market as a sign that a deal to sell TikTok is imminent. Oracle is also said to be in the bidding Mayer's resignation came just days after TikTok filed a lawsuit challenging a crackdown by the US government over claims the wildly popular social media app can be used to spy on Americans. TikTok, which has been downloaded 175 million times in the US and more than a billion times around the world, argued in the suit that Trump's order was a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The platform — on which users share often playful short-form videos — is not "an unusual and extraordinary threat," it said. The platform's kaleidoscopic feeds of clips feature everything from dance routines and hair-dye tutorials to jokes about daily life and politics. The company holds firm that it has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, and Beijing has blasted Trump's crackdown as political.

Walmart says teaming with Microsoft in bid for TikTok

TikTok, the video&nbsp;sharing app, has come forward and denied all accusations made by the US President Donald Trump and has labelled it as&nbsp;"rumors and misinformation".

After Donald Trump gave the company 90 days to divest or face a ban, TikTok has come out with a statement saying that all claims made in Washington about ByteDance-owned company&nbsp;being used by Chinese intelligence are "unfounded and blatantly false".

"TikTok is not available in China. Its US user data is stored in Virginia with a back-up in Singapore and strict controls on employee access. TikTok has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, nor would it do so if asked," a statement on a webpage titled 'The Last Sunny Corner of the Internet: Setting the Record Straight' read.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
TikTok is the daily destination for millions of people to express themselves creatively. We have launched a new information hub to shine a light on the facts, and serve as a source of truth to address the misinformation about TikTok. <a href="https://t.co/3dfEibdNsB">https://t.co/3dfEibdNsB</a>
— TikTok_Comms (@tiktok_comms) <a href="https://twitter.com/tiktok_comms/status/1295399800557502465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The social media giant also launched a new Twitter account "@tiktok_comms" for clear and faster communication with the audience. "To address rumors and misinformation about TikTok, we've built a new information hub to serve as a source of truth. We also launched a Twitter account that's dedicated to sharing company news in real time," the statement read.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alibaba-next-trump-is-looking-at-pressuring-other-chinese-companies-after-bytedance-320915">Also read:&nbsp;Alibaba next? Trump is looking at pressuring other Chinese companies after Bytedance</a>

The company claims they have set up the information hub and the Twitter account as a step further in maintaining transparency, accountability and a 'security first' promise. "Transparency is at our core, and we're committed to leading the industry in security and accountability. Today, we're taking another step to continue to build trust with our TikTok community by delivering the facts – in our own words and in the words of leading experts across cybersecurity, media, and academia – because we neither support nor stand for the spread of misinformation on our platform, or about our platform."

Musical.ly controversy

This statement was released as a reaction to Trump's accusation&nbsp;especially after, on Friday, Trump signed a separate executive order for ByteDance to sell its interest in Musical.ly, the app it bought and merged with TikTok in 2017, citing national security.

TikTok said the US action "risks undermining global businesses' trust in the United States' commitment to the rule of law, which has served as a magnet for investment and spurred decades of American economic growth."

China, too, called this a "digital gunboat diplomacy" by the US. The two countries have been at verbal and diplomatic war for the last few months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-blasts-us-digital-gunboat-diplomacy-over-tiktok-321175">Also read:&nbsp;China blasts US 'digital gunboat diplomacy' over TikTok</a>

New partnership

Despite the trouble in the US, TikTok, on Monday, announced a new&nbsp;partnership and integration with&nbsp;music distribution platform UnitedMasters.

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TikTok's new partnership and integration with <a href="https://twitter.com/unitedmasters?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@unitedmasters</a> will make it even easier for artists and creators on TikTok to translate trending activity into career success. <a href="https://t.co/gWTvtnxFN8">https://t.co/gWTvtnxFN8</a>
— TikTok_Comms (@tiktok_comms) <a href="https://twitter.com/tiktok_comms/status/1295426862739595265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Already known for propelling unknown artists to success, TikTok's new partnership with United Masters provides a turn-key platform for aspiring stars to fast-track their careers," a statement read on TikTok's new information hub. This is the first time a&nbsp;music distribution company will be integrated with TikTok.

“If you are a musical artist, TikTok is the best place for your music to go viral and UnitedMasters is the best place to sustain it while retaining full ownership of your work," says Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder of UnitedMasters. "By combining the two, we create the platform for tomorrow's stars who will be famous, fiercely independent and wealthy."

(With inputs from agencies)

TikTok, the video sharing app, has come forward and denied all accusations made by the US President Donald Trump and has labelled it as "rumors and misinformation".

TikTok, the video sharing app, has come forward and denied all accusations made by the US President Donald Trump and has labelled it as "rumors and misinformation". After Donald Trump gave the company 90 days to divest or face a ban, TikTok has come out with a statement saying that all claims made in Washington about ByteDance-owned company being used by Chinese intelligence are "unfounded and blatantly false". "TikTok is not available in China. Its US user data is stored in Virginia with a back-up in Singapore and strict controls on employee access. TikTok has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, nor would it do so if asked," a statement on a webpage titled 'The Last Sunny Corner of the Internet: Setting the Record Straight' read. TikTok is the daily destination for millions of people to express themselves creatively. We have launched a new information hub to shine a light on the facts, and serve as a source of truth to address the misinformation about TikTok. https://t.co/3dfEibdNsB — TikTok_Comms (@tiktok_comms) August 17, 2020 × The social media giant also launched a new Twitter account "@tiktok_comms" for clear and faster communication with the audience. "To address rumors and misinformation about TikTok, we've built a new information hub to serve as a source of truth. We also launched a Twitter account that's dedicated to sharing company news in real time," the statement read. Also read: Alibaba next? Trump is looking at pressuring other Chinese companies after Bytedance The company claims they have set up the information hub and the Twitter account as a step further in maintaining transparency, accountability and a 'security first' promise. "Transparency is at our core, and we're committed to leading the industry in security and accountability. Today, we're taking another step to continue to build trust with our TikTok community by delivering the facts – in our own words and in the words of leading experts across cybersecurity, media, and academia – because we neither support nor stand for the spread of misinformation on our platform, or about our platform." Musical.ly controversy This statement was released as a reaction to Trump's accusation especially after, on Friday, Trump signed a separate executive order for ByteDance to sell its interest in Musical.ly, the app it bought and merged with TikTok in 2017, citing national security. TikTok said the US action "risks undermining global businesses' trust in the United States' commitment to the rule of law, which has served as a magnet for investment and spurred decades of American economic growth." China, too, called this a "digital gunboat diplomacy" by the US. The two countries have been at verbal and diplomatic war for the last few months. Also read: China blasts US 'digital gunboat diplomacy' over TikTok New partnership Despite the trouble in the US, TikTok, on Monday, announced a new partnership and integration with music distribution platform UnitedMasters. TikTok's new partnership and integration with @unitedmasters will make it even easier for artists and creators on TikTok to translate trending activity into career success. https://t.co/gWTvtnxFN8 — TikTok_Comms (@tiktok_comms) August 17, 2020 × "Already known for propelling unknown artists to success, TikTok's new partnership with United Masters provides a turn-key platform for aspiring stars to fast-track their careers," a statement read on TikTok's new information hub. This is the first time a music distribution company will be integrated with TikTok. “If you are a musical artist, TikTok is the best place for your music to go viral and UnitedMasters is the best place to sustain it while retaining full ownership of your work," says Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder of UnitedMasters. "By combining the two, we create the platform for tomorrow's stars who will be famous, fiercely independent and wealthy." (With inputs from agencies)

Setting the record straight: TikTok denies Trump's accusations

The United States confronted "untrustworthy" Chinese technology and has convinced many countries not to use Huawei-produced equipment because of its big security risk, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

"We confronted untrustworthy Chinese technology and telecom providers. We convinced many countries not to use Huawei because it's a big security risk. Just today, the UK announced that they are not going to be using it," Trump said while addressing reporters.

The United States had designated Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE Corp as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and China''s military apparatus.

The UK on Tuesday announced its decision to ban British companies from buying Huawei-produced equipment for 5G networks from the end of the year.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G network.

He said that countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights.

The United States confronted "untrustworthy" Chinese technology and has convinced many countries not to use Huawei-produced equipment because of its big security risk, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

The United States confronted "untrustworthy" Chinese technology and has convinced many countries not to use Huawei-produced equipment because of its big security risk, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. "We confronted untrustworthy Chinese technology and telecom providers. We convinced many countries not to use Huawei because it's a big security risk. Just today, the UK announced that they are not going to be using it," Trump said while addressing reporters. The United States had designated Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE Corp as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and China''s military apparatus. The UK on Tuesday announced its decision to ban British companies from buying Huawei-produced equipment for 5G networks from the end of the year. Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G network. He said that countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights.

US convinced many countries not to use Huawei, it's a big security risk: Trump

The United States has hailed Britain's decision to order the phased removal of China's Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network.

The British ban, which came despite warnings of retaliation by Beijing, handed a victory to US President Donald Trump's administration, which has been seeking to isolate the Chinese telecom titan.

"We welcome news that the United Kingdom plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks and phase out untrusted Huawei equipment from existing networks," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

"We will continue to work with our British friends on fostering a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, which is critical to transatlantic security and prosperity," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While the European Union has resisted a sweeping ban on Huawei, Pompeo highlighted decisions against the company in a number of European states.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-bans-huawei-from-its-5g-network-as-uk-chairman-john-browne-resigns-313239">Also read |&nbsp;Britain bans Huawei from its 5G network as UK chairman John Browne resigns</a>

He also pointed to companies in Australia, India, Japan and South Korea that have decided to be "clean" from Huawei.

"Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property or human rights," Pompeo said.

Trump's national security advisor, Robert O'Brien, wrote on Twitter that Britain's move showed a "growing international consensus" that Huawei and other companies allegedly linked to the Chinese state "pose a threat to national security."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially resisted, allowing Huawei to roll out a new high-speed network in Britain in January. But US sanctions in May blocking Huawei's access to US chips for the 5G networks motivated London to take the said decision.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-to-replace-huawei-in-uk-at-scale-and-speed-nokia-313250">Also read |&nbsp;Ready to replace Huawei in UK at scale and speed: Nokia</a>

The United States has hailed Britain's decision to order the phased removal of China's Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network. The British ban, which came despite warnings of retaliation by Beijing, handed a victory to US President Donald Trump's administration, which has been seeking to isolate the Chinese telecom titan.

The United States has hailed Britain's decision to order the phased removal of China's Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network. The British ban, which came despite warnings of retaliation by Beijing, handed a victory to US President Donald Trump's administration, which has been seeking to isolate the Chinese telecom titan. "We welcome news that the United Kingdom plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks and phase out untrusted Huawei equipment from existing networks," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our British friends on fostering a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, which is critical to transatlantic security and prosperity," he said. While the European Union has resisted a sweeping ban on Huawei, Pompeo highlighted decisions against the company in a number of European states. Also read | Britain bans Huawei from its 5G network as UK chairman John Browne resigns He also pointed to companies in Australia, India, Japan and South Korea that have decided to be "clean" from Huawei. "Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property or human rights," Pompeo said. Trump's national security advisor, Robert O'Brien, wrote on Twitter that Britain's move showed a "growing international consensus" that Huawei and other companies allegedly linked to the Chinese state "pose a threat to national security." Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially resisted, allowing Huawei to roll out a new high-speed network in Britain in January. But US sanctions in May blocking Huawei's access to US chips for the 5G networks motivated London to take the said decision. Also read | Ready to replace Huawei in UK at scale and speed: Nokia

US hails British ban on China's Huawei

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