China Cautions on TikTok: Trade Law Trumps Forced Deals
China has asserted that any agreement involving TikTok must comply with Chinese law, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the deadline for TikTok’s sale by 75 days. The statement, reported by Reuters, signals China’s firm stance amid rising U.S.-China tensions.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce stated, “China opposes any actions that disregard the principles of the market economy, forcibly seize assets, and undermine the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.”
The spokesperson further emphasized, “Any specific business decision must be in accordance with Chinese laws, including the export of technology, which is subject to government approval.”
Under a law enacted in 2020, China explicitly prohibits the export of certain technologies—especially those related to TikTok’s core algorithm—without state consent. This algorithm is considered vital to TikTok’s operations and central to the business of its parent company, ByteDance.
Last week, President Trump postponed the process of selling TikTok’s U.S. operations, extending the deadline by 75 days. The move has added a layer of political and diplomatic complexity, particularly given China's longstanding skepticism about the deal, intensified by Trump’s earlier tariff threats.
