Banning TikTok would hit China's tech ambitions and deepen the global digital divide

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TikTok could face a ban in the US if its Chinese owner fails to sell the app within the next year, according to recently approved legislation. If this ban were to be enforced, it would deal a significant blow to China’s tech ambitions and deepen the divide between the digital worlds centered around the US and China. Beijing has previously stated its strong opposition to a forced sale of TikTok. The ban would also benefit competitors such as YouTube, Google, and Instagram. It is likely to accelerate the two blocs forming in the global tech landscape, one centered on the US and the other on China.