Why is Donald Trump now defending TikTok in the US, the popular China-tied app he once sought to ban?

Ex-president’s U-turn coincides with recent meeting held with billionaire Republican megadonor who is deeply invested in parent company ByteDance. About-face could hurt presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee who has long touted his toughness on China, analysts say. — SCMP

Former US president Donald Trump has markedly changed his tune on TikTok, the popular short-video app that he once sought to ban over concerns about its Chinese ownership.

Throughout his term in the White House and in the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election, the presumptive Republican nominee with a reputation for mercurial moves has repeatedly touted his toughness on Beijing, citing trade tariffs he pushed the US to impose on China that remain in place.