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China has signaled a shift in its stance on the fate of TikTok in the United States. After years of staunch opposition to any forced sale or restructuring of the popular social media platform, the Chinese government now appears open to considering a potential ownership deal with the Trump administration.
This significant development was revealed during a press conference held by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Mao Ning acknowledged the positive impact TikTok has had on boosting US employment and consumption, and stated that China hopes the US will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.
Importantly, Mao Ning noted that the operations and acquisition of businesses should be decided by the companies themselves, in accordance with market principles. This marks a stark reversal from China’s previous position, where it vowed to block any forced sale of TikTok.
However, the spokesperson emphasized that any potential deal would need to comply with Chinese laws and regulations. This could prove a challenge, as previous negotiations were complicated by concerns over China’s restrictions on the export of certain AI technologies.
The news comes as TikTok service has been restored in the US, following the platform’s brief shutdown under the Biden administration. With President Trump now back in office, the political landscape surrounding TikTok’s future appears to have shifted dramatically.
