Islamabad, Jan 20: TikTok has begun restoring its services across the U.S., following a statement by President-elect Donald Trump that the app would resume operations under his administration. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump expressed his determination to ensure the platform’s survival. “We have to save it—there’s no other choice,” he said, emphasizing TikTok’s importance to 170 million American users.
Hours before the rally, TikTok confirmed its efforts to return online. “Thanks to President Trump’s commitment, TikTok is back for our U.S. users,” the company shared in a message. While basic services resumed, the app remained unavailable for download on major app stores as of Sunday evening.
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TikTok’s decision to publicly thank Trump signals a unique moment in U.S.-China relations. Trump has previously expressed plans to enforce tariffs on China while maintaining an interest in negotiating directly with Chinese leadership. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy criticized the U.S., accusing it of suppressing TikTok through unfair state power.
The controversy stems from national security concerns raised by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. U.S. officials claim the platform poses a risk to American data privacy. TikTok ceased operations briefly after a law banning the app went into effect, but Trump has promised to extend the deadline to negotiate a security-focused solution.
“We’re looking at a joint venture where the U.S. would hold a significant stake,” Trump announced, adding that companies aiding TikTok during the transition would not face penalties. His evolving stance marks a shift from 2020, when he sought to ban the app outright. More recently, Trump credited TikTok for helping him connect with younger voters during his campaign.
However, not all Republicans are on board. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts opposed the move, arguing that TikTok’s ties to ByteDance and the Chinese government must be completely severed.
This unfolding situation has sparked a frenzy among users and businesses. Searches for VPNs surged as TikTok went offline, and marketers reliant on the platform scrambled for alternatives. Meanwhile, speculation about TikTok’s future continues, with discussions of potential partnerships, including a rumored bid involving Elon Musk.
As TikTok works to regain full functionality, its fate highlights the complex intersection of technology, politics, and international relations.
