China is reportedly open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok US

China might accept Musk buying TikTok US if the Supreme Court bans it.

: Chinese officials considered allowing Elon Musk to buy TikTok US if the Supreme Court upholds a ban on the app. China prefers TikTok to remain owned by ByteDance but would entertain a sale to Musk to align with Donald Trump's administration. If Musk's X acquires TikTok US, it could access 170 million American users and substantial ad revenue.

Chinese government officials have considered a situation in which Elon Musk might acquire TikTok's United States operations should the Supreme Court uphold the ban on the app on January 19. Although China strongly wishes TikTok to remain under ByteDance's control, this option is being discussed as a potential means to cooperate with the administration of incoming President Donald Trump.

In this hypothetical scenario, Musk's company, X, would purchase TikTok US, thereby integrating the platform's 170 million American users into its fold and tapping into the lucrative advertising revenue potential it offers. This consideration indicates China's willingness to explore various strategies in response to the evolving political landscape in the US.

However, this possibility of a sale has been labeled as "pure fiction" by a TikTok spokesperson in a statement to Variety, casting doubt on the extent to which ByteDance and TikTok are aware of these discussions. Furthermore, the report sheds light on China's alleged influence over the platform, which has led to the current legal challenges against TikTok.

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