China has given the strongest indication yet that it is willing to protect TikTok that will keep TikTok operating in the US. The country previously said it would block any forced sales of the app but said otherwise after President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he would own TikTok between US and Chinese interests.
“When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of enterprises, we believe that they should be decided independently by companies in accordance with market principles,” said the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning. “When it concerns Chinese companies, China’s laws and regulations must be respected.”
Mao noted that TikTok “has played a positive role in increasing employment and consumption in the US” and expressed the ministry’s hope that “the US will sincerely listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment. entities from all countries.”
On Sunday, the law that banned TikTok in the US went into effect. Video sharing app. Users couldn’t download it from app stores and even people overseas with a US TikTok account couldn’t access it.
The service was restored hours after Trump promised to sign an executive order on Monday, after his inauguration, “to extend the time before the sanctions go into effect, so that we can make an agreement to protect our national security. The order will also ensure that there will be no liability for any company that helps “TikTok doesn’t go black before my order.”
In accordance with The Wall Street Journal, TikTok and founder Zhang Yiming has a significant connection with him that could pave the way for at least part US ownership of TikTok in Elon Musk. He reportedly spoke to a Trump confidant in late 2024 after it looked like the law would go into effect. Zhang is said to control the majority of TikTok’s parent company with voting rights but does not currently hold a senior position in ByteDance.