Tech

TikTok deal halted amid China tariff objections

TikTok’s U.S. asset deal stalled due to China’s objections over tariffs, delaying compliance with U.S. divestiture requirements.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Ahron Young

TikTok’s U.S. asset deal stalled due to China’s objections over tariffs, delaying compliance with U.S. divestiture requirements.

In Short

TikTok’s U.S. asset sale has stalled due to China’s disapproval, despite President Trump’s deadline extension for ByteDance to divest or face a ban.

Ongoing negotiations involve potential changes in ownership stakes and a new deadline for talks in mid-June.

A planned deal for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets has been halted after China expressed disapproval. This follows President Trump’s announcement extending the deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. ownership.

On Friday, Trump extended the deadline by 75 days, allowing more time for ByteDance to either sell its U.S. assets to a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban. The deal was reportedly close to finalisation but Chinese approval is now a key issue, as stated by ByteDance.

Big challenges

In a statement, the company noted ongoing talks with the U.S. government but indicated significant differences remain on several issues. The Chinese Embassy reiterated its position, asserting that China respects the rights of enterprises while opposing market violations.

This situation is further complicated by recent tariffs imposed by Trump, leading to retaliatory measures from China. The president has stated he is willing to reduce tariffs to facilitate a deal with ByteDance.

Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about increasing stakes for major non-Chinese investors in ByteDance while reducing Chinese ownership to below the legal threshold. Some lawmakers continue to push for enforcement of a law mandating TikTok to cease operations unless divestiture is completed.

Tech

Nvidia to build AI supercomputers in the U.S. for first time

Nvidia invests $500 billion in U.S. AI supercomputers, shifting production to Texas to strengthen supply chains and boost domestic growth amid rising tariffs and national tech pressures.

Published

4 days ago

April 18, 2025

Veronica Dudo

Nvidia invests $500 billion in U.S. AI supercomputers, shifting production to Texas to strengthen supply chains and boost domestic growth amid rising tariffs and national tech pressures.

Nvidia to build AI supercomputers in the U.S. for the first time — a $500 billion move that could redefine the global tech industry.

With new tariffs on imports from China and Taiwan, the chip giant is shifting production to Texas, partnering with Foxconn and Wistron.

Nvidia says the decision will strengthen its supply chain and boost domestic economic growth.

The announcement comes amid growing pressure to secure national tech infrastructure and reduce reliance on Asia. How will this impact jobs, prices, and America’s AI ambitions?

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Tech

‘Stuck in the past’: Has Apple lost its edge?

Apple, once an innovator, faces criticism for stale updates and designs, prompting comparisons to 1980s IBM and calls for Tim Cook’s departure.

Published

6 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ahron Young

Apple, once an innovator, faces criticism for stale updates and designs, prompting comparisons to 1980s IBM and calls for Tim Cook’s departure.

Apple, once a symbol of innovation, is now under fire for uninspiring product updates.

The headline “Has Apple lost its edge? Critics say it’s stuck in the past” captures growing frustration over recycled designs and underwhelming features.

From the original iPhone to the lacklustre Apple Intelligence, critics now compare the company to IBM in the 1980s. Is it time for Tim Cook to step aside?

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#Apple #TimCook #TechNews #iPhone #AppleIntelligence #Innovation #BradGastwirth #TechDebate

Tech

OpenAI explores social network to rival Elon Musk

OpenAI is considering a social network to rival Musk’s X, spurred by the success of its new image-generation feature.

Published

7 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI is considering a social network to rival Musk’s X, spurred by the success of its new image-generation feature.

In Short

OpenAI is considering creating a social network to compete with Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s Instagram, following high demand for its new image-generation tool.

The company has raised $40 billion in funding and is facing increased server demands, prompting efforts to temporarily limit the tool’s usage.

OpenAI is contemplating the development of a social network to rival Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s Instagram, according to an informed source.

This initiative is reportedly in the early stages and has emerged following the success of OpenAI’s latest image-generation tool, which has stressed the company’s servers.

The announcement was first reported by The Verge, while OpenAI has chosen not to comment on the matter.

Image-generation

In March, OpenAI launched its new image-generation feature designed to create various visual content, including diagrams, infographics, and logos. This tool also enables users to produce artistic renditions from their uploaded images.

Recently, images generated by this feature have gained significant traction on social media, with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently using one for his profile photo on X. Altman noted the overwhelming popularity has led to increased server demands.

He mentioned that the company is currently looking to limit the feature’s usage temporarily while they enhance its efficiency.

The generative AI sector is highly competitive, particularly with the involvement of Musk’s xAI, which recently acquired X. The relationship between Altman and Musk has become contentious, particularly surrounding OpenAI’s move to become a for-profit entity.