TikTok Faces Shutdown Threat in Canada; Anker Plans $500M Hong Kong IPO
Latest news and analysis on China’s global e-sellers
TikTok Faces Shutdown Threat in Canada Amid National Security Dispute
Temu and Shein Face New Heat in Europe Over Product Safety
TikTok Shop Launches Upgraded Seller Incentives to Bolster Southeast Asia Strategy
Temu Accelerates U.K. Localization as Global User Base Surges
AliExpress Converts to Korean Local Entity in Strategic Localization Move
SHEIN Rebuilds Momentum in India as App Downloads Surpass 2 Million
Anker Plans $500M Hong Kong IPO to Bolster International Expansion
Bambu Lab Eyes RMB 6 Billion in Revenue, Valuation Tops RMB 10 Billion
ROMOSS Reaffirms Commitment to Product Recall and After-Sales Support Amid Operational Challenges
Chinese Lawn-Mowing Robot Supoman Robotics Files for Bankruptcy
TikTok Faces Shutdown Threat in Canada Amid National Security Dispute
TikTok is in urgent negotiations with the Canadian government as it faces a potential shutdown over national security concerns. In November 2024, Canada ordered TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its Canadian operations. Since then, the company says Ottawa has not responded to multiple requests for dialogue.
Steve de Eyre, TikTok’s Director of Public Policy in Canada, warned that “time is running out,” as the company freezes local cultural projects and sponsorships. CEO Shou Zi Chew sent a letter to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on July 2, urging a meeting within two weeks. Without government engagement, he warned, TikTok may be forced to lay off all Canadian staff and cease support for local creators. (Bloomberg)
Temu and Shein Face New Heat in Europe Over Product Safety
As Shein and Temu pivot more aggressively toward Europe—following heightened tariffs on low-value goods in the U.S.—they’re now encountering pushback from EU regulators.
On July 20, EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath flagged serious safety violations in products sold on the platforms, including baby pacifiers, children’s rain gear, sunglasses, and cosmetics with banned chemicals. The violations include choking hazards and reproductive toxins. McGrath called for tighter enforcement on small parcels and recommended abolishing the €150 tax-exemption threshold, aiming to protect consumer safety and market integrity. (The Guardian)
TikTok Shop Launches Upgraded Seller Incentives to Bolster Southeast Asia Strategy
TikTok Shop has launched a major upgrade to its “Flywheel Plan PLUS” in Southeast Asia for Q3 2025, aiming to reduce the barrier to entry for cross-border merchants.
New features include streamlined onboarding (store setup in as little as three days), expanded multi-store access (up to 10 per license), and, for the first time, access for sole proprietors. To ease financial pressure, TikTok Shop is offering 90–120 days of commission-free sales, zero withdrawal fees, and a low $90 security deposit per store. (Ebrun)
Temu Accelerates U.K. Localization as Global User Base Surges
Temu is ramping up its localization efforts in the U.K., aiming for local orders to account for 50% of total sales in the market by the end of 2025. The fast-growing cross-border e-commerce platform currently boasts 22 million users in the U.K., where over 80% of consumers cite value-for-money as a key attraction. Temu is also emerging as a critical channel for British SMEs seeking broader market access.
Globally, Temu’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. In Q2 2025, the platform reached 417 million monthly active users (MAUs), up 68% year-over-year, with 70.5 million daily active users (DAUs), up 65%. Latin America is leading the surge, with MAUs growing 122% year-over-year, now accounting for 26% of Temu’s global user base. Meanwhile, the company has fully opened its local seller program in Australia, reinforcing its commitment to regional market integration. (ENnews)
AliExpress Converts to Korean Local Entity in Strategic Localization Move
AliExpress has officially become a local entity in South Korea, ending its status as a foreign-invested company. The change, effective this month, is part of the platform’s broader localization strategy aimed at improving regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and consumer trust.
AliExpress plans to boost Korean-language support, improve return and exchange flows, and explore collaboration with domestic delivery networks. While details of further investments are not yet public, the move is a clear response to tightening oversight and a competitive push to build long-term user loyalty in South Korea’s high-standard e-commerce landscape. (Chosun Biz)
SHEIN Rebuilds Momentum in India as App Downloads Surpass 2 Million
Roughly six months after re-entering the Indian market, fast fashion e-commerce giant SHEIN has surpassed 2 million app downloads—signaling a strong rebound in consumer interest despite its earlier market exit due to geopolitical tensions.
SHEIN resumed operations in late 2023 via a franchise partnership with Reliance Retail, adopting a more localized strategy. By leveraging Reliance’s extensive distribution network and market intelligence, SHEIN has been able to rapidly re-establish its user base. (The Economic Times)
Anker Plans $500M Hong Kong IPO to Bolster International Expansion
Anker Innovations is reportedly planning to raise up to $500 million via a Hong Kong IPO, potentially by early 2026, Reuters reports citing sources familiar with the matter. The company confirmed it is actively exploring equity financing in Hong Kong to support its long-term global strategy, though specific terms and timing remain undecided.
The move would provide Anker with additional capital firepower as it accelerates international brand building and market expansion. The company emphasized regulatory compliance and pledged to disclose further developments as they arise. (Reuters)
Bambu Lab Eyes RMB 6 Billion in Revenue, Valuation Tops RMB 10 Billion
On July 17, Bambu Lab CTO Gao Xiufeng shared the company’s brand and ecosystem strategy publicly for the first time. The team, largely composed of DJI alumni, has earned Bambu Lab a reputation as the “DJI of 3D printing.”
Following the release of several new models such as the H2D in 2025, Bambu Lab has seen accelerating sales. Over 2,000 units were sold in the first month of launch. First-quarter revenue approached RMB 2 billion. In 2024, net profits reached nearly RMB 2 billion, maintaining a net profit margin above 30%, consistent with the company’s 2023 figures of RMB 2.7 billion in revenue and RMB 700 million in profit. Its growth has outpaced DJI’s early trajectory, highlighting its breakout potential in the hardware space. (Sohu)
ROMOSS Reaffirms Commitment to Product Recall and After-Sales Support Amid Operational Challenges
Chinese cross-border electronics brand ROMOSS issued an official statement on July 15 confirming the continued operation of its product recall and after-sales support system. In light of recent operational turbulence, the company said it has undergone internal strategic adjustments while keeping its core operations team in place.
The announcement appears aimed at restoring user confidence and reinforcing its commitment to customer protection during a period of organizational transition. (CYZone)
Chinese Lawn-Mowing Robot Supoman Robotics Files for Bankruptcy
Hangzhou-based smart hardware manufacturer Superman Intelligent Technology Co., once a pioneer in China’s lawn-mowing robot sector, has entered bankruptcy proceedings, according to a recent judicial auction notice from the Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court.
Founded in 2007, the company was an early mover in garden robotics and once exported bladeless fans and energy-efficient lawn robots to Global markets. It was recognized as a national high-tech enterprise in 2020. However, Superman struggled to keep pace with rapid technological shifts in AI and IoT integration, leading to stagnant product innovation and waning competitiveness. (Sohu)