Trump reports advancement in TikTok situation, announces intended trip to China
In a significant development, President Donald Trump mentioned that he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit in South Korea. This conversation marks the second time the leaders of the United States and China have spoken since Joe Biden's presidency.
The discussion also covered the controversial topic of TikTok, the popular social media platform. Trump stated that a deal regarding TikTok was approved by Xi during their phone call, but China has not confirmed any agreement. Investors, including Oracle owned by Larry Ellison, are being considered to take over TikTok. Ellison is a known supporter of Trump.
If a deal is reached, TikTok could potentially come under the control or influence of Trump. However, Wendy Cutler, a former US trade official, stated that many details regarding TikTok remain unclear, including who would control the algorithm powering TikTok.
The US-China relationship, despite Trump's past relentless criticism of China, appears to be showing signs of improvement. Trump stated that he and Xi made progress on many issues, including TikTok. However, Cutler also mentioned that many other irritants remain between the two nations.
The tariff dispute between the US and China, which significantly disrupted global supply chains earlier this year, seems to be easing. A deal was reached between the two countries to reduce these tariffs, which expires in November. The US currently imposes 30% duties on imports of Chinese goods, while China imposes a 10% tariff on US products.
China's position on TikTok is that businesses should negotiate based on market rules and balance interests while complying with Chinese laws and regulations. Beijing also hopes the US provides an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in the United States.
Trump stated that he would have 'tremendous control' over TikTok if a deal is reached. Xi expressed appreciation to Trump for the US role in World War II during their phone call. Trump also mentioned a potential visit of Xi to the United States at an unspecified time.
The US Congress passed a law last year that requires TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell its US operations for national security reasons or face the ban of the app. Wendy Cutler, in addition to expressing concerns about TikTok, also stated that Beijing is displaying a willingness to play hardball in negotiations with Washington.
This phone call between Trump and Xi marks a significant step in the complex relationship between the two nations, with both sides expressing a desire for progress and cooperation, while also highlighting the numerous challenges that remain.
