Trump gives Tikkok a second chance - China reacts upgraded

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

For many of the 170 million Tikok users in the United States, President Donald Trump's decision to postpone a legal ban on the popular social media platform for the time being, was a reason to be happy. In China, the seat of the Tikok parent company, the reaction was less positive. Trump indicated that he could ask the company to give a 50 percent share to prevent possible closure.

China's reaction to Trump's suggestions

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, before Trump's inauguration, that the future of Tiktok should "be decided by the company" according to the Chinese law. The United States should "seriously hear the voice of reason" and create an "open, fair, fair and non -discriminatory business environment" for companies from all countries, said spokeswoman Mao Ning.

Shortly after Trump's inauguration, he published an order that pushed up the enforcement of a controversial law by 75 days. This law stipulates that Tikkok is banned in the United States unless the company sells to a buyer from America or one of its allies. This delay gave Tiktok the opportunity to go online again after a more than 12-hour break.

The objections from China

on Chinese social media platforms, especially on Weibo, Trump's suggestions were acknowledged with contempt. Millions of users discussed the possible 50-50 ownership distribution under hashtags and many described the US government's claim as "theft". Comments such as "Apple and Tesla should also give 50% of their shares in Chinese companies" received great approval. Another user asked: "If so, we need 50% control over Nvidia!"

The media giant Bytedance, the operator of Tikkok, does not operate in China with Tiktok itself, but offers the sister app Douyin, which is very popular in the country. In an editorial of the nationalist newspaper Global Times, the approach to the US ban was described as a trap that some Americans caught himself. "The political manipulation of the overstretched security term against Tikkok not only let the emotions of the American public fluctuate, but also for many who rely on the platform for their livelihood, to 'deep personal pain'," it said.

The uncertain fate of TikTok

Despite the uncertainties about the future of Tikok, both the USA and China seem to be ready for a dialogue, while the new government is now taking up its official business. In a phone call with Trump, China's President Xi Jinping appealed to a "new starting point" in the relationships between the USA and China and emphasized her "comprehensive common interests". Trump confirmed that the tictok topic was also discussed during the conversation.

XI also sent the Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to take advantage of Trump, which is one of the highest official visits from Beijing at an American presidential award. Trump's decision to Tikok seems to be a signal to China that he is ready to negotiate, but could also be a strategy to keep the conditions unclear for an agreement.

possible tariffs and Tiktok’s future

Trump also refrained from raising tariffs on Chinese goods on the first day, which many observers had expected for this day. During his election campaign, he had threatened Chinese imports of more than 60% of more than 60%, and the Chinese government is preparing for a stricter economic competition under his presidency. When asked about the tariffs, Trump said that the levies originally imposed on him as President were still valid, but without naming a precise time frame when he could possibly collect additional tariffs.

However, Trump also suggested that tariffs could be coupled to Tikok's fate. In his statements in the Oval Office, he indicated that he could impose tariffs of up to 100% to Chinese products if China did not cheap to make a potential future agreement. "If we wanted to make a good deal with Tikkok and China would not approve it ... then I think they would ultimately approved it, because we would put tariffs in China," said Trump. This remark allows questions about the way negotiating in the coming months.

The Chinese government has already signaled that it may take legal steps to block a deal between Tikok and a US company, since a sale would also involve the "export of technology", which indicates the sale of the proprietary algorithm of the app. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and ally of Trump, also interfered in the discussion about the future of Tiktok and emphasized the "need to change". According to reports, Chinese authorities discuss a possible option that could involve the sale of part of the US version of the app to Musk’s X platform.

Musk commented that X is not available in China, since many large American technology platforms are blocked in China due to strict control. "I have long been against a ban on Tikkok because it violates freedom of expression," wrote Musk. "The current situation in which Tikok can operate in America, but not in China, is unbalanced. Something has to change."