Trump has sent the strongest signal yet against TikTok’s withdrawal from the US market. On December 22 local time, US president-elect Trump gave a speech in Phoenix, Arizona, clearly indicating his preference for allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States for at least some time. Earlier, a US court ruled that ByteDance must divest TikTok by January 19, 2025. Trump’s recent attitude seems to bring a turn of events. Since entering the US market, TikTok has faced an “encirclement” by the US government. In 2018, relevant US departments began to observe TikTok. In 2019, Trump claimed that it might endanger US national security. In 2020, the US blockade on TikTok escalated. Trump signed an executive order requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US business or face a ban on operation. During Biden’s tenure, TikTok’s living space has been continuously squeezed. In April 2024, Biden signed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a “non-Chinese owner” or face a ban on operation. TikTok appealed to the court but was rejected. TikTok filed an emergency application with the US Supreme Court to request a freeze on the ban. At the same time, Trump has made frequent moves regarding TikTok, including making remarks of “having a favorable impression on TikTok” and meeting with TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew. However, Trump has not made a specific commitment to suspending the ban. The future fate of TikTok remains uncertain. Some analysts believe that Trump may order a delay in the effective date of the ban and put pressure on TikTok to require it to be sold. The future direction of TikTok is related to the degree of attention the next government pays to various issues. Moreover, Trump often changes his stance, and his attitude after entering the White House remains to be seen.
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