Dear Focus Reader,

In the waning days of the Biden administration, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok's challenge against a federal law that would force its parent company, ByteDance, to divest from its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The law in question was signed by President Biden in April 2024, and initially introduced in response to growing concerns about ByteDance's access to U.S. user data and potential national security risks. TikTok has denied these allegations, arguing that the law infringes upon free speech rights.

Oral arguments are scheduled for January 10, 2025, just days before the law's enforcement deadline of January 19, and the inauguration on January 20.

The legal battle has escalated in recent months. Senators Ed Markey and Rand Paul have urged President Biden to grant ByteDance a 90-day reprieve to resolve the uncertainties surrounding the case, while Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and other lawmakers have opposed any delays, stressing the importance of national security.

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok, has now changed his rhetoric surrounding the platform. After meeting with TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi this week, he has indicated that he will reassess the issue after his inauguration, and noted that he felt TikTok helped him connect with young voters. However, experts have noted that he will have limited options in saving TikTok from the ban.

Our team will be off the next two weeks, but we'll be back in January to keep you updated on all things China-U.S. relations. For now, learn more by catching up on our latest Focus content, including topics on security concerns, areas for bilateral cooperation, and more.

We wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season!