TikTok progress bodes well for trade issues

Users of the popular short-video platform TikTok may be somewhat relieved by the candid and constructive exchange of views on Sept 19 by the leaders of China and the United States, the world's two biggest economies, which indicated support for the continued operation of the popular app in the US.

A complete recipe for resolving the TikTok issue consists of respecting the wishes of the TikTok company through productive commercial negotiations and market rules, leading to a solution that complies with China's laws and regulations and takes into account the interests of both sides. Hence, the Chinese side has reiterated its clear stance, as the recent phone conversation between the two heads of state pointed out the direction and provided momentum after the two sides' earlier trade talks in Madrid.

After years of worrisome uncertainty, the latest development seems to be a rare breakthrough in monthslong talks between the two countries, and also a significant step toward defusing wide-ranging tension not only over the fate of a business giant, but also regarding trade.

The US side reported that the proposed deal could license intellectual property rights, including algorithms. Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice-minister of commerce, said the two sides had reached a "basic framework consensus" on resolving TikTok-related issues, a slight variation of the language used by the US.

It appears that TikTok has taken on symbolic importance for the US administration, and US officials are manipulating it as a litmus test of Beijing's willingness to engage in the next stage of negotiations. US President Donald Trump had already taken the unusual step of sidestepping congressional legislation on TikTok by delaying the implementation of relevant requirements, postponing enforcement deadlines three times.

China, meanwhile, decided to pay closer attention to the issue, viewing it not merely as a technical matter of a single company's operation, but as a matter with larger implications.

Thus China and the US should identify a solution that could satisfy both sides without appearing to compromise on core interests.

Paradoxically, TikTok is more than an app that has unfortunately been put in the line of fire between the world's two largest economies. It seems to be a proxy as well, setting a new path for future negotiations as well as for the trajectory of Sino-US relations for years to come.

Li, the trade negotiator, is absolutely right regarding the TikTok issue, which must not be politicized, instrumentalized or weaponized, while the basic principles and interests of companies, as well as international fairness and justice, should not be bulldozed because of self-proclaimed national security concerns.

China has every legitimate right to firmly safeguard the national interests of Chinese enterprises, and to carry out technology export approval in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Unfortunately, despite ongoing composite economic negotiations, the US is continuously expanding the list of sanctions against Chinese entities, through a typical act of unilateral bullying that violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

Nevertheless, TikTok's latest framework is particularly good news for consumers in the US, where young people dominate domestic industries. Thus it is important for the US to fully respect the wishes of businesses and provide them with a fair business environment based on market principles.

Developing a framework on TikTok is a good beginning to resolve other pending issues related to ongoing unilateral trade practices and tariff wars. However, the success of its execution depends on the political wisdom and the economic policymakers' insights.

The China-US negotiations in Madrid and the leaders' talks sent a positive signal to world markets, which badly need an end to economic chaos because of the ongoing trade and tariffs standoff.

It is hoped that the US would disown its unilateral economic measures and political hyping against China and its enterprises. Significant reductions in tariffs and nontariff trade barriers, restrictions on exports of key products and resources, and broader questions of strategic competition should also be resolved as soon as possible.

Hence the new normal of economic resolution over TikTok could be replicated in the remaining areas where both sides could realistically explore progress.

The author is president of the Center for Knowledge and Public Policy and executive director of the Center for South Asia and International Studies in Islamabad.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.