TikTok Deal Crashes After China Discovers Consequences Have Actions
In a stunning development that absolutely no one could have predicted except literally everyone, China has put the brakes on the TikTok spin-off deal after President Trump announced his sweeping reciprocal tariffs. This comes as a complete shock to the administration, which apparently believed other countries would simply roll over when faced with economic aggression.
The deal, which was reportedly "largely finalized" by Wednesday, would have created a new U.S.-based company owned mostly by American investors, with ByteDance maintaining a minority stake of less than 20%. This arrangement had allegedly received approval from all the necessary parties - investors, ByteDance, and the U.S. government - right before Trump decided to throw a 34% tariff wrench into the diplomatic machinery.
President Trump, displaying his characteristic diplomatic finesse, announced a 75-day extension to the TikTok sale deadline while casually mentioning on social media: "We hope to continue working in good faith with China, who I understand is not very happy about our reciprocal tariffs." This statement ranks among history's greatest understatements, alongside "the Titanic has experienced some minor water damage."
China, now facing a 54% tariff on goods imported into the United States, has responded exactly as anyone with a basic understanding of international relations would expect - by refusing to approve a deal that would hand over one of its most successful tech exports to American control.
Trump has magnanimously offered to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for the TikTok deal, essentially creating a hostage situation with 170 million American users caught in the middle. The negotiation strategy appears to be "I'll stop punching you if you give me your wallet," which historically has not been considered effective diplomacy.
ByteDance, the White House, and the Chinese Embassy all declined to comment, presumably because they were too busy wondering how international relations became indistinguishable from a reality TV show.