In a statement released on 18 September, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, states: “Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threats of the Chinese Communist Party.” He continued: “At the Presidents direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S laws and regulations.” In the executive order, which was signed on 6 August, WeChat operations in the US will be banned starting tomorrow the 19 September, with TikTok shutting down on 12 November.