WeChat is not a "messaging app". It's a primary channel through which businesses in China connect with their consumers, accept payment, conduct marketing, and offer support. A blanket ban would make US companies in China far less competitive, in favor of Chinese companies.
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Presumably US companies with Chinese customers can get around this by moving the said functions to a local “partner,” right? Like “renting” a local WeChat account.
I imagine we won't be able to really assess what this will entail until we get more clarity on what exactly the ban includes. Frankly, I think the order was published without much deep thinking on ramifications, and the final version may scale back, but guess we'll see.
