President Donald Trump's recent shift in tone toward China has drawn scrutiny, particularly concerning the national security implications of the social media app TikTok. This evolving rhetoric comes just days after Trump publicly accused Beijing of "sinister election meddling" in U.S. elections.
Critics note a contrast between Trump's earlier pronouncements and his more recent, conciliatory remarks about China, which some experts believe could signal weakness. Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Michael Sobolik, specializing in U.S.-China relations, pointed out that intelligence officials had identified TikTok as a significant vector for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in the United States during the same year Trump alleged Chinese election interference. Sobolik emphasized that Beijing's continued control over TikTok's algorithm means the potential dangers Trump highlighted persist.
"The CCP hasn’t changed. Xi Jinping hasn’t changed. But President Trump has," Sobolik stated, suggesting a more accommodating approach in Trump's recent statements compared to his first term.
During his presidency, Trump had adopted a firm stance on China, employing tariffs and trade pressure while frequently warning against Beijing's actions. In a national address, he characterized the CCP's efforts to influence U.S. elections and undermine his administration as "sinister." However, a few days later, Trump remarked that "China is maybe a little bit different today than it was then," aligning with his administration's apparent backing of a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. This represents a departure from earlier efforts to ban the app due to national security concerns.
Trump's administration has stated that the new TikTok structure, with majority U.S. ownership, ensures American users' data is protected. However, Sobolik argues that the core issue remains, as the app's algorithm is still controlled by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company, through a licensing agreement. He contends that the location of U.S. data storage does not alter the fundamental reality of CCP-controlled influence over the algorithm itself, and the administration has not directly addressed the possibility of Beijing manipulating the app's algorithm.
Trump's engagement with China has also included a high-stakes summit with President Xi Jinping, where discussions covered trade, Taiwan, AI, and human rights, though these meetings reportedly concluded without significant public breakthroughs. While Trump has expressed enthusiasm for potential trade deals, Sobolik suggests this focus overlooks broader competitive areas in the U.S.-China relationship. He anticipates that Xi will hold an advantage in these broader strategic competitions, with artificial intelligence expected to be a key topic during Xi's upcoming visit to the U.S. on September 24.