China has given its strongest signal yet that it is willing to secure an agreement to keep TikTok operating in the United States. The country had previously said it would block forced sales of the app, but after President-elect Donald Trump suggested he was open to 50-50 co-ownership of TikTok between U.S. and Chinese interests. , made another statement.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference, “We believe that companies should make autonomous decisions regarding business operations, acquisitions, and other actions in accordance with market principles.” “When Chinese companies are involved, they should comply with Chinese laws and regulations.”
Mao Zedong pointed out that TikTok has “played an active role in promoting employment and consumption in the United States,” adding, “The United States will sincerely listen to the voice of reason and ensure that the market is open, fair, just and non-discriminatory.” “It will provide a good business environment,” he said, expressing the ministry’s expectations. Organizations from all countries. ”
On Sunday, a law banning TikTok went into effect in the United States. The video-sharing app went offline late Saturday. Users couldn’t download it from the app store, and even people overseas with US-based TikTok accounts couldn’t access it.
Hours after President Trump promised on Monday after Inauguration Day that he would sign an executive order that would “extend the time period before legal prohibitions go into effect to enter into agreements to protect national security.” Service has been restored. This order also confirms that I will not be liable to any company that helped stop TikTok from going dark before my order. ”
TikTok and ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming has key contacts that could pave the way for at least partial U.S. ownership of TikTok by Elon Musk, according to the Wall Street Journal. That’s what it means. He reportedly spoke with Trump’s confidants in late 2024 after the law became likely to go into effect. Zhang is said to control a majority of TikTok’s parent company through voting rights, but does not currently hold any executive positions at ByteDance.
