Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on TikTok Deal, National Security, and Export Controls

TikTok Framework Deal and National Security

• 🤝 A framework deal on TikTok is welcomed, provided that ByteDance's ownership is less than 20% and there is no operational control or relationship between TikTok USA and ByteDance.
• ⚖️ The deal must comply with a law that overwhelmingly passed Congress on a bipartisan basis and was upheld by the Supreme Court.
• ⚠️ Concerns remain that any rush for a deal by President Trump could give the CCP leverage, emphasizing the need to protect U.S. national security.

Data Access and Algorithm Control

• 🔒 The primary concern underlying the law is the CCP's access to data from 170 million Americans.
• 🇨🇳 Despite assurances, data was reportedly accessed in China and weaponized against Americans, as seen when journalists reporting on TikTok were surveilled.
• 🇺🇸 The goal is for TikTok to survive but not be under the control of the CCP.

Potential Solutions and Agnosticism

• ☁️ Hosting data in the United States, potentially with a company like Oracle, could be a satisfactory solution.
• 🎯 The congressman is largely agnostic on ownership structure or operators as long as the deal complies with the law and protects national security.

Broader National Security Concerns

• 칩 The CCP is also seeking to relax export controls on high-density semiconductor chips.
• militarization and persecution of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kongers.
• 🤝 The U.S. should work with friends, partners, and allies to create robust markets, as the CCP cannot be trusted on these issues.
• 📈 American companies have continued to flourish despite export controls, and their stock prices reflect this.