US President Donald Trump has temporarily postponed a legal ban on TikTok, bringing relief to the app’s 170 million American users. However, the decision has sparked discontent in China, where TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is headquartered.
Trump’s move includes a 75-day delay on enforcing a law that would prohibit TikTok’s operations in the US unless it is sold to an American or allied buyer. This delay aims to provide time for negotiations and a potential resolution that safeguards US national security while avoiding the abrupt shutdown of the platform.
Trump’s Proposal: A 50-50 Joint Venture
Trump has suggested that an American buyer could acquire a 50% stake in TikTok, creating a joint venture with ByteDance. While this approach may soften the impact of the controversial law, questions remain about whether US lawmakers or ByteDance would agree to such a deal. TikTok has consistently denied posing a national security risk.
Chinese Backlash
In China, Trump’s proposal was met with widespread criticism on social media platforms like Weibo. Many users accused the US government of engaging in “robbery,” drawing comparisons to hypothetical scenarios where US companies like Apple and Tesla would be forced to cede control to Chinese firms.
The nationalist newspaper Global Times condemned the US actions, calling them politically motivated and warning that they could disrupt the livelihoods of many TikTok users. ByteDance itself does not operate TikTok in China, but its sister app Douyin remains highly popular domestically.
TikTok and US-China Relations
Trump’s delay on the TikTok ban comes amid signs of cautious engagement between the US and China. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently called for improved bilateral relations in a conversation with Trump, which included discussions about TikTok. Xi also sent Vice President Han Zheng to Trump’s inauguration, a gesture highlighting Beijing’s interest in maintaining dialogue.
Despite this, Trump has hinted that tariffs on Chinese goods could become part of the bargaining process for a TikTok deal. He suggested that tariffs as high as 100% could be imposed if Beijing blocks any agreement involving TikTok, further escalating economic tensions between the two nations.
Musk’s Comments Add to the Debate
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has also weighed in on the issue. Musk criticized the asymmetry in tech platform access, noting that while TikTok operates in the US, American platforms like X remain banned in China. Musk suggested that the current situation is “unbalanced” and requires change.
Reports have surfaced about a possible plan for ByteDance to sell part of TikTok’s US operations to X, though this remains speculative.
Outlook
The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with national security concerns and geopolitical tensions influencing the outcome. As negotiations unfold, the situation highlights the broader challenges in US-China relations, particularly in the technology sector.
