Trump grants additional time for TikTok operations in the United States
Fresh Take:
The clock keeps ticking for TikTok as President Donald Trump extends the popular video app's presence in the US for another 90 days, bypassing the initial legal deadline. Despite the ongoing American law, Trump seems to be extending the olive branch to TikTok, defying the prescribed rules.
Initially, TikTok was expected to be sold by its Chinese parent company Bytedance, with a January 19 deadline. But, Trump granted an initial 75-day extension, and it seems he’s not done yet, extending it further without any same-titled provision in the law.
Some sleuths fear China might exploit this app for spying or manipulating public opinions, with TikTok denied and refuting these speculations.
Trade Tango with China
Interestingly, Trump, in the spring, wooed China with lower tariffs for a green signal to sell TikTok. He conceded that China might have a share in the deal's decision-making process. "I might sweeten the deal with some tariff cuts," Trump acknowledged.
Is the Algorithm a Red Herring?
The core controversy surrounding TikTok's algorithm—the software that sifts content for users—refuses to abandon the limelight. Pundits foresee potential Chinese influence on US public opinion through this algorithm. However, TikTok and Bytedance repeatedly dismiss these claims. The law mandates that neither the Chinese government nor Bytedance can manipulate the algorithm.
Whose Call Is It Then?
Trump attempted to force a deal when he threatened to ban TikTok during his first term. The courts, however, thwarted his attempts. The current law offers a robust legal basis for TikTok's potential removal from the US under President Joe Biden. But, Trump remains butterflies inside and is not ready to part ways with the app, which he discovered during his campaign and consumers seemingly adore. Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, justify the extension, stating that it provides "more time to seal a fair deal."
While China dances to the tune of a new rule enacted during Trump's first term, necessitating government approval for selling software algorithms abroad, it remains uncertain if a deal will seal the fate of TikTok in the US, or if the ban will inevitably follow.
War-and-conflicts and politics intertwine as President Donald Trump's extension of TikTok's presence in the US for another 90 days, against the backdrop of legal deadlines, highlights the ongoing political struggle surrounding the video app. This move, which deviates from prescribed policy-and-legislation, has been met with mixed responses, including speculations about China's potential manipulation of the TikTok algorithm for influencing US public opinions, a concern addressed in general news.
