They’re supplying complex components so they’ll be involved in design of interfaces and supply software. It’s not inappropriate to say they’re producing it, even if it’s a relatively minor role.

It is reasonable to assume correlation in the context the causation occurs in. To imply TikTok isn’t influencing people is baseless ignorance or deliberately misleading.

People downloading TikTok are more likely to be impressionable children, TikTok then influences these children. Is a much more likely outcome, than what your suggesting.

The West is significantly richer than most other countries. The countries outside the west that are also wealthy have deep trade connections with the West. These connections may be so that China may consider them effectively 'the West’s - Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore etc.

China tries to expand it’s trading partners outside the West with its belt and trade initiative. But that’s expensive and controversial. As it often involves corruption and abuse carried out by Chinese businesses. It doesn’t appear as bad as 1800s colonisers, but in light of today’s sensibilities China often comes out badly.

It’s still wise to build connections with growing economies. Often because the population is large and is set to become larger. However, China’s aggressive posture has destroyed relations with one of it nearest and largest growing economy India. India’s relations with the West isn’t great, it currently goes between Russia and the West. I think mainly to ensure advanced weapon supply in the event of escalations with China.