Elon Musk Dismisses TikTok Acquisition Speculation During WELT Economic Summit
The billionaire entrepreneur clarifies his stance on TikTok ownership and comments on U.S. trade policies.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X, has publicly denied any intentions of acquiring TikTok, the popular social media application.
His remarks came during a video address at the WELT Economic Summit, which took place on January 28, 2025, at the Axel Springer building in Berlin.
In his address, Musk stated, "I wouldn’t have any plans for what I would do with TikTok," highlighting a perceived lack of direction for the platform.
The WELT Economic Summit typically follows the Chatham House Rules, allowing participants to speak freely while keeping the identities of speakers confidential.
However, Musk's comments were shared with the media with his consent.
In addition to addressing the TikTok speculation, Musk commented on the trade policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He remarked that Trump’s strategy focuses on avoiding punitive measures against countries, emphasizing symmetry in tariffs to ensure equitable operating conditions for American businesses.
Musk stated, "Trump does not want to punish countries; rather, he is focused on symmetrical tariffs and ensuring equal conditions for companies."
This perspective on trade comes at a time when the debate around digital platforms and data privacy continues to gain importance globally, particularly concerning regulatory scrutiny aimed at foreign ownership of social media companies like TikTok.
The regulatory environment surrounding such platforms has been a focal point in discussions about user data protection and national security.
His remarks came during a video address at the WELT Economic Summit, which took place on January 28, 2025, at the Axel Springer building in Berlin.
In his address, Musk stated, "I wouldn’t have any plans for what I would do with TikTok," highlighting a perceived lack of direction for the platform.
The WELT Economic Summit typically follows the Chatham House Rules, allowing participants to speak freely while keeping the identities of speakers confidential.
However, Musk's comments were shared with the media with his consent.
In addition to addressing the TikTok speculation, Musk commented on the trade policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He remarked that Trump’s strategy focuses on avoiding punitive measures against countries, emphasizing symmetry in tariffs to ensure equitable operating conditions for American businesses.
Musk stated, "Trump does not want to punish countries; rather, he is focused on symmetrical tariffs and ensuring equal conditions for companies."
This perspective on trade comes at a time when the debate around digital platforms and data privacy continues to gain importance globally, particularly concerning regulatory scrutiny aimed at foreign ownership of social media companies like TikTok.
The regulatory environment surrounding such platforms has been a focal point in discussions about user data protection and national security.
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