‘Open, just and non-discriminatory’: China urges US to ensure fair business environment as TikTok ban looms

China on Saturday reiterated its stance on the TikTok issue in the US, saying its position is “clear” and urging Washington to provide an “open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment” for Chinese companies, Xinhua reported.

The Ministry of Commerce said Beijing respects the will of enterprises and supports business negotiations carried out “in line with market rules to reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance interests of all parties.”

It added, “China hopes the US will move in the same direction and fully honor its commitments, provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, including TikTok, to continue operating in the United States, and promote stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations.”

The statement came after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first phone call in three months on Friday. Trump claimed progress on trade, fentanyl and TikTok, but no agreement on the app’s future was announced. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, faces a looming US ban unless it divests its Chinese ownership under a law upheld by the Supreme Court.

Experts told Al Jazeera that while no breakthrough was reached, the fact that Xi agreed to the call — after months of refusing — was seen as a sign of easing tensions. Larger issues, including US access to rare earths, China’s energy ties with Russia, and semiconductor restrictions, are expected to be addressed when the two leaders meet in person.