TikTok Gears Up for Legal Battle Against U.S. Law, Threatening China-U.S. Relations
TikTok prepares to fight US law forcing ties with China, risking increased tensions. Challenges may follow if a sale occurs.
TikTok is preparing to challenge a U.S. law that demands the social media platform to sever ties with its China-based parent company. The move, purportedly supported by Chinese authorities, comes amidst the escalating U.S.-China rivalry, imperiling a popular means of online connection for American youths.
Beijing's Stance
Beijing has urged TikTok to combat what it deems as a "robbers" act by U.S. lawmakers. The authorities expressed their disapproval towards the legislation, indicating that should a legal challenge fail, they are unlikely to allow a sale as it may be perceived as yielding to Washington. Observers believe that Beijing is wary of setting a "bad precedent" by acceding to the U.S. demands.
The legislation signed by U.S. President Joe Biden could potentially enable Washington to extend its reach to target other China-related apps. Furthermore, it may embolden U.S. allies to take similar actions, affecting popular platforms such as the e-commerce giant Temu.
TikTok's Response
With 170 million American users, TikTok has vowed to contest the new U.S. law. The requirement for ByteDance, its Beijing-based parent company, to divest its stakes within a year to avoid a ban has been characterized by TikTok as an infringement on the free speech rights of its users, who primarily use the app for entertainment.
Tensions between the U.S. and China
The conflict over TikTok has heightened tensions between the two nations, both of which are committed to safeguarding their economic and national security interests. U.S. lawmakers are concerned about the potential for Chinese ownership of the app to exert unwanted influence, especially on young minds.
Implications of a Sale
If the sale of TikTok becomes a reality, it is expected to be a complex and arduous process. The price tag for TikTok’s U.S. business is unknown but is anticipated to be substantial, limiting the pool of potential investors and buyers. Moreover, there are uncertainties regarding the fate of the TikTok algorithm.
Rebuilding TikTok in the U.S.
Should the sale occur, there are speculations that the U.S. version of TikTok would need to be rebuilt, potentially involving new technology. However, the replication of the algorithm and video recommendations poses a significant challenge, with doubts about whether a U.S. entity can immediately recreate a comparable user experience.
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