Apple on Friday mentioned it pulled a number of messaging apps like Meta‘s WhatsApp and Threads from the App Retailer in China after the nation’s authorities ordered the elimination, citing safety issues.

The transfer additional escalates tensions between the U.S. and China over expertise and different insurance policies. In latest days, Congress has been trying to fast-track laws to push TikTok’s Chinese language mother or father firm ByteDance to divest the social media app. The Home may vote on a brand new invoice as quickly as Saturday, and U.S. President Joe Biden has mentioned he’ll signal it into legislation if it reaches his desk.

“We’re obligated to comply with the legal guidelines within the international locations the place we function, even once we disagree,” Apple mentioned in a press release. “The Our on-line world Administration of China ordered the elimination of those apps from the China storefront based mostly on their nationwide safety issues.”

Different messaging platforms like Sign and Telegram had been additionally faraway from China’s App Retailer.

The strained relationship between the 2 international locations has additionally pushed Apple to attempt to diversify its provide chain exterior of China. The corporate has been increasing its manufacturing operations in different nations like India and Vietnam.

China has a protracted historical past of proscribing entry to content material from the U.S. on-line, however some platforms like WhatsApp and Threads have traditionally been permitted via its App Retailer. These platforms aren’t as in style with Chinese language customers as others like WeChat, however their elimination reduces the variety of methods they’ll talk with individuals exterior of the nation.

Meta directed CNBC to Apple for remark. Sign and Telegram didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.