Trump’s shift from banning to possibly saving TikTok illustrates his evolving stance. As President-elect, he’s extended ByteDance’s deadline to find a US buyer and avoid a ban. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump initiated a series of events that would expose TikTok under intense scrutiny by the United States.
Such sanctions were brought forth based on national security grounds, with Chinese parent company, ByteDance, being faced with pressure in selling its operations in the United States.
The Unexpected Shift: Trump’s Lifeline for TikTok
This move resulted in a tense standoff, with Trump demanding ByteDance divest from TikTok or face a complete ban in the US. Fast forward to January 2025, and the narrative has dramatically shifted. Now, President-elect Trump is poised to offer a lifeline to the very platform he once sought to shut down. Just a day prior to his inaugural, Trump expressed his decision on issuing a fresh executive order in which ByteDance would have more time for finding an appropriate buyer and that would avoid permanently banning TikTok in the US.
Trump’s Change in Approach Toward China
This change of approach has been a surprising twist in the saga of TikTok’s troubles in the US. The platform, which boasts over 160 million American users, had its services briefly suspended after a federal law was enacted requiring ByteDance to sever ties with its US operations by a set deadline. The law, passed with bipartisan support in April 2024 and signed by President Joe Biden, was rooted in concerns about national security due to the app’s Chinese origins.
TikTok resumed its services following Trump’s recent announcement, reversing the temporary ban. In a statement to users, TikTok attributed its return to Trump’s efforts, which sparked a wave of relief among American users who were struggling to access the platform.
Geopolitical Tensions Between the US and China
The ban and its reversal were part of a broader geopolitical backdrop, marked by rising tensions between the US and China. The legal battles surrounding TikTok’s status culminated in a ruling from the US Supreme Court, which upheld the federal law requiring ByteDance’s divestment of its US operations.
The Future of TikTok in the US
Meanwhile, the Chinese government strongly criticized the US government’s actions and accused it of unfairly targeting the app. This new stance from Trump, contrasting with his previous hardline stance, may also indicate a new desire for a more balanced relationship with China.
Further evidence of the shift is also seen in the fact that the Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng was present at the inauguration of Trump, a traditional event where foreign leaders do not attend.
Conclusion
The saga of TikTok’s troubled relationship with the US has taken a dramatic turn as President-elect Trump now offers the platform a lifeline after initiating its troubles just a few years ago. His decision to extend ByteDance’s deadline to find an approved buyer signals a potential shift in his approach to both TikTok and US-China relations.
As the platform’s future in the US hovers on the line, only ongoing talks and legal battles will determine whether it can keep its feet on US ground or face a permanent ban. Running a business Overseas is a complex process. Choose Vakilsearch for complete legal support to establish your business in the USA.
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