TikTok deal becomes casualty of Trump’s trade war with China

New York Post - Apr 11th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Former President Donald Trump has imposed a 145% tariff on all imported goods from China, citing retaliation against the United States with an 84% tax by China. This new tariff has complicated the ongoing negotiations regarding the future of TikTok in the US. TikTok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, must be restructured to ensure majority US ownership, but Trump's targeted trade war against China has brought these talks to a standstill. The Chinese government, which controls TikTok, is unlikely to agree to a deal that results in loss of face, making it challenging to resolve the geopolitical and multi-layered issues involved in the negotiations.

The implications of this development are significant, as TikTok's future in the US remains in jeopardy, with extensions to the deadline potentially facing legal challenges. Trump’s tariffs may hinder any willingness from Chinese President Xi to negotiate further, especially given the significance of TikTok's global presence. Beyond TikTok, the broader US-China trade relations are strained, with potential moves like delisting Chinese stocks from US exchanges being considered. The situation underscores the complex interplay between technology, geopolitics, and international trade that both nations must navigate.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of the complex negotiations surrounding TikTok's future in the U.S., set against the backdrop of U.S.-China trade tensions. While it effectively captures reader interest and presents a coherent narrative, the story's accuracy and balance are somewhat compromised by a reliance on unnamed sources and a limited exploration of the Chinese perspective.

The article succeeds in addressing a topic of significant public interest, with potential implications for technology policy, international trade, and data privacy. However, greater transparency and source attribution would enhance its credibility and allow for a more nuanced understanding of the geopolitical dynamics at play.

Overall, the article contributes to the public discourse on an important issue but would benefit from more detailed verification of factual claims and a broader range of perspectives to provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article contains several factual claims that require verification, such as the imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods by Trump. While the story presents this as a fact, the actual percentage of tariffs imposed may differ, indicating a need for precise verification.

The claim that the TikTok negotiations have stalled due to Trump's trade war with China is plausible but requires confirmation from involved parties. The article mentions sources with direct knowledge, but without specific attribution, these claims remain somewhat speculative.

The article accurately reflects the complexity of the TikTok ownership and control issues, mentioning Bytedance and the necessity of Chinese government approval. However, the degree of Beijing's control and the legal implications of extending TikTok's operational deadline in the U.S. are areas needing further factual support.

Overall, the article aligns with the broader narrative of geopolitical tensions affecting business negotiations but lacks precision in some factual details, necessitating cautious interpretation.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents the U.S. perspective on the TikTok negotiations, focusing on Trump's actions and their implications. While it mentions the Chinese stance, such as their desire to retain a minority stake and the algorithm, it does not delve deeply into the Chinese government's viewpoint or strategic considerations.

The story quotes a Wall Street executive and another unnamed source, both of whom offer insights from the U.S. side. However, it lacks quotes or perspectives from Chinese officials or experts, creating an imbalance in the narrative.

By not fully exploring the Chinese perspective or providing a balanced view of the geopolitical dynamics, the article may inadvertently favor the U.S. narrative. Including a broader range of perspectives would enhance the story's balance.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a coherent narrative about the impact of U.S.-China tensions on TikTok's future in the U.S. It effectively outlines the sequence of events and the key players involved.

However, some sections could benefit from clearer explanations, particularly regarding the legal and geopolitical complexities of the situation. For instance, the article briefly mentions the legal difficulties of extending TikTok's deadline without elaborating on the legal framework involved.

Overall, the article is accessible, but additional clarity in certain areas would enhance reader comprehension, particularly for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of international trade and technology negotiations.

6
Source quality

The article cites sources with 'direct knowledge of the matter,' such as a Wall Street executive, but does not provide specific names or affiliations, which diminishes the credibility of the claims.

While the use of unnamed sources is common in sensitive geopolitical stories, the lack of clear attribution makes it difficult to assess the reliability of the information. The story would benefit from more authoritative sources or official statements to bolster its credibility.

Without clear identification of the sources, readers are left to rely on the publication's reputation for accuracy, which may not be sufficient for all audiences seeking a deeper understanding of the issue.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed context or methodology for how the information was obtained, which affects transparency. It relies heavily on unnamed sources without explaining why anonymity was necessary.

There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, which is important given the geopolitical and economic implications of the story. Additionally, the article does not clarify the basis for some claims, such as the legal challenges Trump might face in extending TikTok's operational deadline.

Greater transparency regarding the sources and the methods used to gather information would improve the article's trustworthiness and allow readers to better assess the validity of the claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-tiktok-deal-still-very-much-on-the-table-2025-4
  2. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=386703%2F
  3. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=373434v