Why it matters:
The U.S. sees the Chinese platform TikTok as a threat to its global tech ownership. Trump has engaged the issue with an objective to reach through his dichotomy of divest-or-ban.
The big picture:
The U.S. has warned many of its allies to remove the company's equipment from their telecommunications networks. The issue is beyond China and its TickTock. The U.S. Congress is considering legislation to address the global growth of digital platforms from Iran, Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.
Flashback:
The issue traces back to Trump's previous presidential term, when his administration imposed sanctions on one of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers operating in China. The company was also involved in chip manufacturing and was considered a pioneer of 5G mobile internet technology.
What he's saying:
Trump: "We have a deal with some very good people, some very rich companies, that would do a great job with it, but we're going to have to wait to see what's going to happen with China."
"It's on the table very much."
"I think China's going to want to do it, actually."
Key points:
- The tariffs are a negotiation strategy to get China to cave.
- TikTok's divest-or-ban deadline extended for the second time after Trump's taking office in January.
- Trump announced a big U-turn on reciprocal tariffs on 185 countries.
State of the play:
Representatives for Trump and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., declined to comment on the situation.
Go deeper:
China Hits Back at U.S. with 34% Tariffs, Lawsuit in Escalating Trade War
Trump's Trade War Reaches Europe
seyed mohammad kazemi
