US President-elect Donald Trump spoke to his Chinese counterpart on Friday — ahead of his impending return to the White House. The interaction came even as the US Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok in the country.
“This call is very positive, either for China and for the United States. I hope we solve many disorders together, and this now. We discussed the balance of commerce, fentanil, the Tiktok and many other issues, “Trump wrote in Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed hope for a “good start” under Trump as the Republican leader makes a forced return after a four-year hiatus.
The US Supreme Court upheld a law that will ban TikTok in the United States on Friday — paving the way for a potential ban in two days. The popular video-sharing app is slated to lose approximately 170 million users unless its Chinese parent company sells the platform. The US Congress had passed a law to this effect in 2024 amid growing national security concerns.
Trump however insisted on Friday that the ultimate decision rested with him as the incoming POTUS. He had previously pledged to ‘save’ TikTok in election campaign speeches and debated ways to stall the ban.
“At the end of the day, it depends on me . . . so they will see what I am going to do. Congress gave me the decision. So it will be I who will make the decision. ” “He told CNN on Friday, without giving any detail.
It is also pertinent to note that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration ceremony. According to a New York Times article, he was invited to sit in a position of honor on the dais, an area reserved for former presidents, their family members and other important guests.
The outgoing Joe Biden administration appeared to agree with this assessment — noting that it was up to Trump to decide on enforcement of the ban.
“Given the sheer fact of timing, this Administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration,” read a statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre after the Supreme Court verdict.
Incoming national security advisor Mike Waltz also claimed on Thursday that the Trump administration would put measures in place “to keep TikTok from going dark”.
“The legislation allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table. Essentially that buys president Trump time to keep TikTok going. It’s been a great platform for him and his campaign to get his America first message out. But at the same time, he wants to protect data,” he said.
(With tickets)
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