Opinions

Donald Trump Can Rescue TikTok, But the U.S. Needs to Break Its Ties with China



While TikTok’s future hangs in the balance, one fact remains clear: The United States cannot capitulate to Communist influence and allow China to maintain control over the app or the company itself.

However, if anyone has the potential to navigate a path that preserves the app for American users without compromising U.S. interests, it’s President-elect Donald Trump — and that appears to be his objective.

On Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed a bipartisan legislation that prohibits TikTok from being available on U.S. app stores starting Sunday unless the China-based parent company ByteDance divests its ownership.

TikTok has announced intentions to go offline on that date, while ByteDance insists it would prefer to shut down the app entirely rather than sell it.

In the meantime, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is advocating for a last-minute extension on the deadline, and President Biden has deferred the decision on enforcing the ban to Trump, who is reportedly seeking a way to delay action until an American buyer can finalize a deal.

Trump’s appointed national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has stated that the new administration intends to “prevent TikTok from going dark,” referencing Trump’s authority to grant ByteDance a 90-day extension “as long as a feasible deal is in progress.”

There are several serious bidders interested in purchasing the platform, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, billionaire Frank McCourt, and businessman Kevin O’Leary.

ByteDance has explicitly stated that it would not be willing to sell TikTok’s sophisticated algorithm alongside the app — if it even considers selling at all; in fact, Chinese regulations appear to prohibit such a sale.

That’s fine by us: Despite the algorithm’s renowned ability to analyze user preferences and behaviors, we believe any purchaser could create an adequate alternative.

Indeed, the immense potential of the algorithm to influence public opinion is one major reason why the app must not remain under the control of Beijing. (The vast data it collects on American users is another compelling reason.)

China cannot be trusted: Consider its attempts to breach critical U.S. infrastructure or the infiltration of local government offices by spies.

Perhaps Trump’s renowned negotiating skills can bridge the divide: He indicated on Monday that he had discussions with President Xi Jinping regarding the app’s future and may be able to facilitate a deal for TikTok’s sale — with or without its algorithm.

Nonetheless, some aspects cannot be compromised: The TikTok ban signifies a significant bipartisan stance against China’s attempt to exert undue influence in America, as lawmakers from both parties acknowledge the evident threat.

A total concession would not only reinforce the Chinese Communist Party’s foothold in our public discourse but also communicate to Beijing that it can regard the Trump administration with the same disdain as it did the Biden administration.

Trump should not yield on the necessity for ByteDance to divest, even if it means TikTok ceases to operate.

However, if he can facilitate bringing TikTok, a platform that generates billions for American small businesses, into American ownership, it would certainly be a victory worth celebrating.



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