Temu, the popular e-commerce app owned by China’s PDD Holdings, topped Apple’s list of the most downloaded free apps on the U.S. iOS store for the second consecutive year, showcasing the success of Chinese apps in the world’s largest consumer market.
ByteDance’s TikTok ranked third despite concerns over its future in the U.S., while Temu competitor and fast-fashion giant Shein ranked 12th.
Apple’s iOS holds over 56% of the U.S. mobile phone market, according to StatCounter data.
Temu, which offers inexpensive goods shipped from China, entered the U.S. market in 2022 and has rapidly gained traction, challenging Amazon’s dominance.
However, the Chinese company faces heightened scrutiny from U.S. officials and potential risks from tariffs, which the incoming Trump administration has pledged to increase.
As Temu and Shein lure American consumers with low-cost goods and aggressive advertising, they have also drawn the attention of Washington.
Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House introduces further uncertainty, as the president-elect made reducing imports from China a central campaign focus.
Trump has proposed tariffs ranging from 60% to 100% on Chinese goods, though it remains uncertain whether he will follow through on this threat.
U.S. officials are not alone in their concerns about Chinese imports flooding domestic markets.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Indonesia have implemented anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese goods, while Thailand recently introduced measures to monitor low-cost imports.
Earlier this month, Vietnam banned Temu from operating in the country, just two months after the Chinese company established a local presence.
