Chinese Government Signals Openness to TikTok Deal Under New Terms
China's Foreign Ministry has indicated a potential shift in stance regarding TikTok's U.S. ownership structure, marking a significant change from their previous position of opposing any forced sale.
Woman speaking at Chinese government event
During a recent press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to questions about a possible TikTok deal with Trump, emphasizing that business operations should be determined by market principles while adhering to Chinese regulations.
Key points from the Ministry's statement:
- TikTok's positive impact on U.S. employment and consumption was highlighted
- Business operations should be independently decided by companies
- Any deal must comply with Chinese laws and regulations
- The U.S. should provide an open, fair business environment
This represents a notable shift from China's previous stance of blocking any forced TikTok sale. However, important restrictions remain in place, particularly regarding the export of artificial intelligence technologies, including TikTok's crucial 'Discover' recommendation algorithm.
The context of this development includes:
- Recent TikTok service restoration in the U.S.
- The April 2024 TikTok ban legislation
- Previous discussions between TikTok founder Zhang Yiming and Elon Musk
- Trump's proposal for 50% U.S. ownership in a joint venture
TikTok billboard with weekend text
The potential deal's success will largely depend on navigating Chinese export restrictions while satisfying U.S. security concerns, making the path forward complex but potentially achievable.
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