Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP
Eurasia
17/12/2024 23:50
US President-elect Donald Trump has expressed confidence that China and the United States can work together "to solve all the world's problems." Trump, who will return to the White House on 20 January, held his first press conference since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 5 November presidential election. The event took place at his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
Trump underscored the significance of US-China cooperation, stating that both nations have the potential to collaborate in creating a better world. He also recalled his 2017 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was held at the same venue. "We spent hours and hours talking, and he’s an amazing guy," Trump remarked.
Nearing TikTok ban
Regarding the potential US ban on the Chinese-owned TikTok app, Trump stated that his administration would assess all options and evaluate the platform's impact.
TikTok has recently come under intense scrutiny in the West, particularly after Romania's constitutional court annulled the first round of the country’s presidential elections, where ultranationalist Călin Georgescu emerged victorious. Georgescu’s campaign heavily relied on TikTok, sparking allegations of Russian interference in support of the pro-NATO, pro-EU, and pro-peace candidate.
In Washington, there are ongoing calls to either ban TikTok or force its sale, with officials alleging that its parent company, ByteDance, is linked to the Chinese government and provides user data to Beijing. Both TikTok and ByteDance have repeatedly denied these claims.
On Monday, Trump held discussions with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, whose primary objective is to prevent or delay the ban scheduled to take effect on 19 January. Trump appears open to considering these requests, partly due to the significant popularity he has garnered on the platform, which played a key role in mobilising young voters in his favor during the election.
