TikTok Saga Continues Amid Conflicting Signals
President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that TikTok has been effectively "saved" from a U.S. ban through a complex divestiture agreement, but the conspicuous silence from Chinese authorities raises questions about the deal's actual status. The agreement would see TikTok spun off from its Chinese parent company ByteDance and placed under American management.
The Divestiture Plan
Under the proposed arrangement, a consortium of U.S. companies would take control of TikTok's American operations, with ByteDance retaining less than 20 percent ownership in the new entity. "This is a great deal for American security and American jobs," Trump declared during a late-night signing ceremony at the White House.
China's Strategic Silence
While the Trump administration portrays the agreement as nearly finalized, Chinese officials have offered no confirmation. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry stated Friday that Beijing "respects the wishes of companies" and that they are free to negotiate agreements "that comply with Chinese law" - identical wording used in previous statements.
China analyst Matt Turpin noted the strategic advantage of Beijing's position. "The statement doesn't indicate that Xi has approved the agreement," he wrote. "It signals what we can expect from China on this issue: they will approve nothing, knowing President Trump wants to 'save' TikTok anyway."
Political Implications
The ongoing uncertainty places Trump in a delicate position. Having repeatedly declared the deal nearly complete, any failure to secure Chinese approval would represent a significant political setback. The original ban, enacted under President Biden, took effect on January 19, 2025 - one day before Trump's inauguration.
Trump has since issued multiple executive orders delaying enforcement, most recently extending the deadline to January 23, 2026. The legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), was passed over concerns that China could use TikTok for espionage or influence operations.
According to Wikipedia, the law specifically targets ByteDance and requires divestiture to avoid a ban. Trump's approach represents a significant departure from his predecessor's policy, though legal challenges continue.