Big Take Asia Breaking Down the Proposed US-China TikTok Deal
Sep 23, 2025
Join Mark Anderson, Bloomberg's Asia tech editor with deep insight into Chinese tech dynamics, as he breaks down the intricacies of the proposed TikTok deal. He delves into the implications of an Oracle-led consortium for U.S. control and what it means for ByteDance. The conversation highlights national security concerns, trade leverage, and how this deal reflects broader U.S.-China relations. Anderson also touches on the potential connection between these negotiations and U.S. support for Taiwan, framing it within the context of Trump's transactional diplomacy.
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High-Level Dialogue Mattered
- Trump and Xi speaking marked a rare high-level thaw in U.S.-China ties and signaled willingness to negotiate contentious commercial issues.
- Mark Anderson says their dialogue itself was a significant step toward lowering bilateral tensions.
TikTok's Massive U.S. Footprint
- TikTok grew explosively in the U.S., reaching over 170 million users and becoming deeply embedded in American culture.
- Mark Anderson notes its parent ByteDance is now one of China’s most valuable private companies.
Data Access Drives Security Fears
- U.S. concerns center on data access and the possibility that Chinese law could force ByteDance to share user data with Beijing.
- Mark Anderson explains lawmakers fear misuse like dossiers, blackmail, or political manipulation.