TikTok Shutdown Threat Heightens As U.S.-China Trade Talks Clash Over Tariffs And Tech Controls

The U.S. is pressing ahead with a potential ban on TikTok unless China agrees to divest ownership without demanding tariff and tech concessions, according to Reuters. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said China sought trade and technology concessions in exchange for agreeing to divest from TikTok. Bessent called the demands aggressive and stressed the U.S. would not compromise national security over the app. The talks mark the fourth round of U.S.-China negotiations in four months, amid wider disputes over tariffs, rare earth exports, and chip restrictions. China criticized U.S. demands as coercive and accused Washington of undermining global trade stability.