ByteDance will still get about 50% of TikTok US profit after its new owners take control https://t.co/FSWoHCHa4F ...

After more than a year of high-stakes, globe-spanning negotiations, the long and tortured saga of TikTok's American future is finally nearing its endgame. ...

“We’re probably going to see China hawks say that this deal doesn’t really cut it.” On “The Intelligence” @t_wainwright parses the Trump administration’s TikTok plan https://t.co/MgOd58lLWg ...

Strategic Alignment: Economic Transformation and Consumption Revolution - Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" aims to diversify the economy away from oil dependency, with three pillars: renewable energy development, youth workforce activation, and global logistics hub construction, aligning perfectly with TikTok's e-commerce ecosystem [3][4] - By 2030, Saudi Arabia plans to achieve 58.7GW of renewable energy capacity, with TikTok facilitating the promotion of Chinese solar solutions, leading to a 300% increase in orders for a Chinese brand through AR demonstrations [3][4] - The rise of the female economy is a significant opportunity, with female labor participation reaching 40%, and TikTok serving as a key platform for workplace fashion and beauty products, generating over $2 million in GMV during a single live stream [3][4] Consumption Upgrade: Shifts in Consumer Demand - Saudi consumers are experiencing a fundamental change in demand, with TikTok acting as a catalyst for this consumption revolution, particularly in emotional and sustainable consumption [5][6] - 71% of Saudi consumers are willing to pay a premium for "stress-relief" products, with TikTok's SelfCare videos garnering 8.7 billion views, leading to a 68% repurchase rate for a Chinese wellness brand [5][6] - The probiotic market in Saudi Arabia is growing at 45% annually, with TikTok helping a Chinese brand increase its penetration from 8% to 23% through educational content [6] Technological Empowerment: Innovations in Marketing - TikTok is leveraging technology to create a differentiated competitive advantage in Saudi Arabia, with AI digital hosts reshaping the live-streaming ecosystem and reducing human costs by 60% [8][9] - The introduction of AR virtual try-on technology has significantly increased average order values and reduced return rates for jewelry brands, demonstrating the effectiveness of innovative marketing strategies [8][9] - The "Virtual Mecca" project allows users to participate in pilgrimage digitally, generating $230 million in sales for related products, showcasing the potential of metaverse marketing [9] Ecosystem Development: Payment and Logistics Innovations - TikTok has made significant strides in building a localized payment system, increasing mobile payment adoption from 30% to 55% through innovative payment solutions [10] - Collaborations with logistics partners have improved delivery efficiency, reducing cold chain loss rates from 30% to 8%, addressing infrastructure challenges in Saudi Arabia [10] - Cultural decoding capabilities have become a core competitive advantage, enhancing viewer engagement and brand perception during marketing campaigns [10] Future Outlook: From Regional Market to Global Hub - TikTok's e-commerce in Saudi Arabia is at a historic turning point, with projections of 100 million inbound tourists by 2027, indicating immense potential for duty-free e-commerce [13] - The upcoming 2030 World Expo and 2034 World Cup are expected to create a trillion-dollar market for Chinese engineering and smart security firms, further integrating digital economy with national strategy [13] - The convergence of TikTok's algorithmic recommendations with Saudi Arabia's youthful demographic and China's manufacturing supply chain is forming a new ecosystem that transcends traditional trade [13]

Internet Fragmentation Risks - The internet is at risk of fragmenting due to the collision between the globalization of technology and the deglobalization of politics, with governments worldwide pursuing their own agendas [2] - The biggest risk is the potential standoff between the US and China pulling countries into different orbits, particularly if India emulates China in cutting itself off from the global internet [5] - Nationalism is increasing in how the internet plays out, and it will be in the US's interest to reach out to India and Europe for a common approach [8] - Overregulation, particularly in Europe, could harm the internet's openness and accessibility [9] - The fragmentation of the internet is happening incrementally through technical changes, such as data localization policies, which could lead to the erosion of open data flows [11] Tech Company Involvement in Politics - Private sector companies, regardless of size, should be cautious about intervening in the public realm and politics [14] - It's generally better for tech innovation and politics to maintain a respectful distance [15] TikTok Concerns - The details of the deal regarding TikTok are unclear, particularly concerning data safety for Americans and potential surveillance from China [18] - There are questions about the algorithm feeding users and the implications of "leasing" an algorithm, especially regarding its maintenance and potential for manipulation [19] - The engineering behind TikTok's algorithm, invented and designed in China, is highly sophisticated, making it difficult to share or transfer effectively [20] Potential Future Scenario - In the worst-case scenario, in 10 years, sending photos, texts, and other data effortlessly from one part of the world to another may become more difficult due to increased friction and barriers [22] - This fragmentation would be detrimental to world-leading American tech companies [23] Proposed Solution - The big techno-democracies of India, the US, and Europe need to establish basic guard rails to keep the non-Chinese internet open [3]

US Politics - Donald Trump celebrates James Comey's indictment [1] - Pete Hegseth reportedly summons the armed forces' top brass to Virginia [1] - An executive order approves a deal that would let TikTok continue to operate in America [1]

In this issue of Forbes Daily:- Trump signed an executive order finalizing the deal over TikTok’s future- Amazon shares fell Thursday after the company reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC- Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted in VirginiaRead more: https://t.co/8GfEx03fmz ...

The Web Of Billionaire Pals, Partners And Trump Supporters Taking Control Of TikTok U.S. https://t.co/RF0PuTo4hB https://t.co/lT6dfYiM4c ...

Forbes Daily: Trump’s TikTok Deal Leaves Many Unanswered Questionshttps://t.co/1i36ecnT3q https://t.co/iz2ry2IIlt ...

Gadget Industry Trends - The gadget industry is seeing a convergence of devices, with everything becoming more similar [1] - Rumors and speculations are circulating about gadgets that have been rumored for a decade or more, including a foldable iPhone and touchscreen Macs [10][11] - Google is reportedly working on combining Android and Chrome OS, aiming for a common technical foundation for PCs and smartphones [14] - The industry is grappling with the question of what the competitive purpose of Android as a laptop would be, given the existing market for Chrome OS [17] - Touchscreen MacBooks seem increasingly likely, driven by user expectations and the desire for more collaborative device experiences [21][22] - OpenAI and Johnny Ive are exploring various AI hardware concepts, including smart speakers, AI glasses, and voice recorders, but their direction remains unclear [24] Social Media and Political Landscape - A potential Tik Tok deal involves a consortium of investors, including Oracle and Andreessen Horowitz, raising concerns about political influence [27] - The deal highlights the influence of tech moguls who cozy up to political figures, potentially leading to a media environment that favors certain interests [27] - The fate of the Tik Tok algorithm is uncertain, raising questions about whether the app will remain the same after the deal [27] - There are concerns that a Tik Tok controlled by Oracle could be meaningfully different from one controlled by ByteDance, potentially impacting content and user experience [29] Business and Finance - American Express is offering a "premium theme" (dark mode) in its app as a perk for its Platinum card, which costs $895 per year [40] - Nvidia's investment in OpenAI and CoreWeave raises concerns about circular investments and the fragility of the AI ecosystem [39] - Nvidia's investment in OpenAI is characterized as Nvidia giving OpenAI a $100 billion gift card [40]