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President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that any agreement allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States would be fundamentally different from the proposed deal between Japan’s Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that China’s approval would be required for any potential TikTok arrangement, highlighting the unique geopolitical complexities surrounding the popular social media platform.
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has long been under scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators over national security concerns. Critics argue that the app could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government, a claim the company denies. The platform, with over 150 million users in the U.S., has faced repeated threats of a ban unless its Chinese ownership is severed.
Trump’s remarks reflect ongoing efforts to force ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok, a move backed by bipartisan support in Congress. A recent bill passed by lawmakers gives ByteDance a deadline to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. Trump’s comments suggest any forthcoming TikTok deal would not mirror typical foreign acquisition arrangements, such as the Nippon Steel bid to buy U.S. Steel, which does not involve Chinese oversight.
Trump also implied that geopolitical factors, particularly involving China, would shape the final outcome of any TikTok negotiations. The contrast with the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal underscores the broader national security implications tied to Chinese technology firms operating in the U.S. market.
As Washington weighs TikTok’s future, Trump’s statements highlight the complexities in balancing tech innovation, data privacy, and foreign policy in an increasingly tense U.S.-China relationship. The decision could set a precedent for how the U.S. handles Chinese tech investments going forward.
