SAEDNEWS: China appears to be leveraging TikTok as a bargaining chip amid tensions with the US, with the platform’s algorithm and ownership emerging as the focal point of high-stakes negotiations.
According to Saed News; Once accused of following “robbers’ logic,” China is now reportedly willing to discuss relinquishing TikTok’s US operations, raising questions about the political and economic concessions it expects in return. Analysts suggest Beijing may see the platform as a strategic bargaining chip in broader US-China tensions.
At the heart of negotiations lies TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which is widely credited with the app’s explosive popularity. Under Chinese law, exporting sensitive technologies requires government approval, and it remains unclear if ByteDance will fully transfer algorithm control to a US-based entity.
Experts warn that even a licensing deal may only include superficial access to the algorithm, preserving the company’s core intellectual property while creating the appearance of US oversight.
The Trump administration frames TikTok as both a privacy threat and a propaganda tool. Reports suggest Oracle, led by billionaire Larry Ellison, may oversee the algorithm’s retraining using US data. This comes amid allegations that TikTok has promoted pro-Palestinian content, highlighting the platform’s influence on public opinion and political narratives.
Beijing maintains that negotiations must comply with Chinese laws and market rules. By leveraging TikTok, China could seek concessions on trade, technology restrictions, and Taiwan, though officials stress that the process will avoid explicit quid-pro-quo agreements. Analysts argue that the “framework consensus” reported by China allows room for careful maneuvering without publicizing trade-offs.
A resolution could de-escalate tensions, but TikTok’s future may involve a hybrid structure with US oversight while ByteDance retains proprietary control. Users may see minimal changes in the app’s interface, but the negotiation highlights the growing role of digital platforms in geopolitics.
As Jeffrey Towson, a former China-based consultant, notes, “Both the US and China now support ‘info-nationalism,’ recognizing that digital platforms wield enormous power over information flow.”
