China Orders Apple to Remove Four Apps on National Security Concerns 

Sources: Asia Financial, Reuters, SCMP 

This past week, Apple reported that it has removed two Meta-owned apps, WhatsApp and Threads, from its App Store in China, saying that “the Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns.” Meta is deferring comments to Apple. The Chinese government recently has passed new regulations for apps, requiring all apps available in China to register with the government or risk being removed by the end of March 2024. Apple has also removed apps from its China app store before, including the New York Times app in 2017, and more than a hundred ChatGPT-like apps in 2023 when Beijing was working on local regulations on generative artificial intelligence (AI) services. Signal and Telegram also appear to no longer on the app store, but this is not confirmed. None of the four apps are widely used in China. 

U.S. Commerce Department Reduces 80% of Export Requirements for the UK and Australia 

Sources: Federal Register, Reuters 

The U.S. Commerce Department published a rule removing export control requirements for Australia and the UK in certain military items, missile technology, certain satellite items, and hot engine items, ultimately reducing all requirements by 80% or $7.5B USD. The goal is to foster defense trade under the three countries' AUKUS security pact, which was a partnership founded in 2021 to enhance security and defense cooperation. 

Second Senator Opposes $1.9B USD Military Supplier Deal 

Sources: Kennedy Letter, Axios, 2024.02.19 ISM Roundup, CZ Group 

A second U.S. senator has written the Treasury Department to oppose the $1.9 billion sale of a U.S. ammunition business to a Czech arms dealer, saying that the Czech arms dealer would be able to “control over nearly 70% of production capacity for primers in the western world” and has “ties to China.” The Group's key external suppliers of tactical accessories are located primarily in the Czech Republic, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea. Vista Outdoors, a NYSE-listed firm designing and manufacturing American outdoor equipment, reported an ongoing CFIUS review of its firearms and ammunition segment sale. The sale did not occur during the first proposed 45-day window. The segment, the Kinetic Group, is expected to be sold to CSG, the Ceska Zbrojovka Group SE, a Prague-based firm operating in defense, aerospace, ammunition, and mobility.