Amid renewed efforts in the US Congress to compel TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership of the popular app, China has issued a defiant response, warning of potential repercussions for the United States.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, condemned what he described as “hegemonic moves” aimed at disrupting the normal operations of businesses. He emphasized that such actions undermine international investor confidence, disrupt global economic and trade order, and ultimately will have adverse consequences for the US itself.

The US House of Representatives recently passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within 180 days or face removal from app stores. However, the bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain. ByteDance has previously contested US government actions targeting TikTok, indicating its readiness to challenge any potential ban in US courts.

Wang also disputed US claims of TikTok posing a threat to national security, highlighting the lack of concrete evidence supporting such allegations. While some US officials have voiced concerns about TikTok’s data practices, others remain cautious about publicly disclosing evidence. Nevertheless, recent US intelligence assessments have suggested that the Chinese government utilized TikTok for attempts to influence American elections.

The ongoing scrutiny of Chinese companies like TikTok reflects a growing bipartisan consensus in the US regarding the need for heightened vigilance. This battle over TikTok’s future could serve as a precursor to broader economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Experts foresee a gradual decoupling of trade ties between the US and China, signaling a potentially challenging road ahead for bilateral relations.