Ban TikTok, the US government goes against the market without a winner

　　■ Observer

　　The ban on TikTok once again shows that in the conflict and chaos brought about by the Trump administration, the values ​​of the United States and the market economy are drifting away.

　　It is often said that the fewer words, the bigger the matter. On the evening of August 1, a message was posted on social media: Bytedance agreed to divest TikTok's US business.

　　TikTok has achieved great success in the United States, ranking first in downloads among the entertainment apps in the Apple App Store. According to TikTok's data, its users in the United States have reached 100 million. The success of TikTok reflects the technical capabilities and business wisdom of the Chinese people, as well as the internationalization capabilities of Chinese Internet companies. Regrettably, the recent complex and volatile international situation has encountered a series of obstacles to this positive momentum.

　　TikTok is a short video app on which young people share their short videos about life and entertainment. Generally speaking, the content of these videos has little to do with national security or even personal privacy. However, for Trump, this is not important, anyway, he never cared about facts and logic.

　　In fact, from a technical point of view, technical systems such as source code hosting and data localization, as well as organizational structures such as a large proportion of foreign employees and foreign investors’ shareholding, can greatly enhance mutual trust. Moreover, TikTok has made many changes to meet the regulatory needs of the United States. It also stated that it will add 10,000 jobs in the United States in the next three years, but it will still passively choose to divest its business in the end.

　　The divestiture and sale of business in the current stage of rapid development is undoubtedly a huge loss for ByteDance. In a sense, it is indeed "snatched by cleverness." However, even if it is sold, it now seems to be facing variables. Previously, the White House's goal was to get American companies to acquire this APP. Microsoft has been negotiating with Bytedance on this. However, on July 31, local time, Trump made it clear that he opposed the acquisition by Microsoft and would use executive orders or emergency economic laws to block TikTok, and he would take action on Saturday as soon as possible. Since then, Microsoft has suspended negotiations to acquire TikTok's US business.

　　This time the acquisition negotiation is a huge opportunity for Microsoft to occupy the social market, and Microsoft will not let it go easily. Moreover, there are differences within the White House on "buy or ban". It is said that US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both support the sale of TikTok to Microsoft.

　　American teenagers like this app very much, especially during the new crown pneumonia epidemic, people have reduced their travel, and many American young people rely on TikTok for entertainment and socializing. I heard that TikTok may be shut down, and it is TikTok's young American users who have the biggest reaction. At present, the anchor has called on all fans to unite, to give the Trump campaign the lowest score and write the most ruthless comments.

　　It can be said that forcing 100 million users to delete this popular application on their mobile phones has aroused resentment that Trump cannot afford during the critical period of the election. Therefore, this may be Trump's ultimate pressure to negotiate tactics.

　　In addition, TikTok's success cannot be imitated by mastering its user data. The core technology, spiritual temperament, and values ​​of an enterprise are difficult to replicate. The Americans may only get a TikTok shell.

　　More importantly, when the United States drives foreign companies out of nowhere, it is also deviating from the value and soul of the market. And this behavior will eventually have a huge impact on the US market environment. Compared with TikTok, the United States has hurt itself more deeply and in the longer term.

　　In the midst of fierce conflict and the chaos brought about by the Trump administration, the values ​​of the United States and the market economy are drifting away. This chaotic state of destruction to market expectations and capital confidence is far more serious than banning a TikTok, and even triggers other countries to follow suit, leading to the fragmentation of the global Internet. The Internet economy, the main engine of global economic development since the 21st century, will also be eclipsed. This situation that goes against the trend of globalization is everyone's loss.

　　□Liu Yuanju (Columnist)