Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images Temu, the popular e-commerce app owned by China's PDD Holdings, topped Apple's list of the most downloaded free apps on its U.S. iOS store for the second year running, highlighting the massive success that Chinese apps are enjoying in the world's largest consumer market.
ByteDance's TikTok came in third in the ranking despite doubts over its ability to continue operating in the U.S., while Temu-competitor and fast-fashion giant Shein came in at number 12.
Apple's iOS accounts for over 56% of U.S. mobile phone market, according to data from StatCounter.
Temu, which ships cheap goods from China, first entered the U.S. market in 2022.
It has taken the market by storm, putting pressure on incumbent heavyweight Amazon . The Chinese company, however, faces increased scrutiny from U.S.
officials, and risks posed by tariffs which the incoming Trump administration has promised to raise. Regulatory scrutiny, tariffs risks As the likes of Temu and Shein attract American consumers with cheap goods and aggressive advertising, they have also caught the attention of Washington. In September, the Biden administration announced a new proposal aimed at blocking the "overuse and abuse" of the long-standing "de minimis" provision by companies such as Shein and Temu.
The provision allows shipments valued under $800 certain import duty exemptions. If Temu and Shein were to lose their de minimis exemption, it could push up prices and reduce the Chinese companie.
