China and US Team Up to Tackle TikTok Ownership Crisis

UPDATE: China has just announced a cooperative effort with the United States to resolve ongoing issues surrounding TikTok’s ownership. Following a crucial meeting between President Donald Trump and China’s top leader Xi Jinping, China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed their commitment to “properly resolve issues related to TikTok.” This announcement raises serious questions about the future of the popular video-sharing platform in the U.S.

The meeting, held on Thursday, yielded no concrete agreement regarding TikTok, leaving millions of users questioning the app’s fate. The Trump administration had hinted at a potential deal to keep TikTok operational in the U.S., with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that the two leaders would finalize an agreement during their discussions.

This collaboration comes amid heightened scrutiny from Congress, where a bipartisan majority recently passed legislation that could ban TikTok if it does not find a new owner to replace China’s ByteDance. The urgency surrounding this issue stems from the app’s significant influence; approximately 43% of U.S. adults under 30 regularly get their news from TikTok, according to a Pew Research Center report.

Earlier this year, TikTok faced a temporary blackout as the Trump administration attempted to negotiate a sale. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order to keep the app running while pursuing a deal. However, the negotiations have been plagued by complications, including tariffs imposed on Chinese products that led to China retracting its support for a deal.

While Trump has signaled his willingness to allow TikTok to continue operating, significant concerns remain regarding U.S. national security. Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program, stated, “China is happy to let Trump declare that they have finally kept a deal, but whether or not that deal will protect the data of Americans is a big question going forward.”

Public opinion remains divided on the TikTok ban. A recent survey revealed that support for a ban has decreased from 50% in March 2023 to about 33% today, with concerns over user data security being a major factor for those in favor. The debate centers around TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which China insists must remain under its control. U.S. officials warn that this algorithm poses a risk of manipulation, but no concrete evidence has been provided to support these claims.

As negotiations continue, the future of TikTok hangs in the balance. The next steps will be crucial as both nations work to navigate this complex issue and its implications for national security and user privacy. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.