It Begins: Airbnb Announces Boycott of China

We knew that China was going to get the Russia treatment.

It has already begun.

RT:

Online accommodation booking firm Airbnb is reportedly shutting down its business in China with all mainland Chinese listings to be taken down as early as this summer.

The California-based company is planning to announce the decision to its employees in the country this week, according to two sources familiar with the matter quoted by CNBC.

Airbnb launched its mainland China business back in 2016, and has reportedly faced mounting competition from domestic players. The sources also said the Covid-19 pandemic had exacerbated challenges faced by the company as it struggled against local rivals.

Despite putting Airbnb co-founder, Nathan Blecharczyk, at the head of its efforts in the country, stays in China on the platform only accounted for approximately 1% of revenue in recent years.

It’s not being framed as a boycott, but it is a boycott.

You will slowly start to see other companies making these kinds of moves before the government officially announces it.

I have no idea how it is possible for the US to do Russian-style sanctions against China, but that is clearly the plan. China would shut down trade if the US attacked them, so it makes sense that the US would want to get out in front of that.

Joe Biden said earlier this week that the US is planning to attack China.