This article examines the hypocrisy in US foreign policy, exemplified by its handling of TikTok and Elon Musk's stance on local ownership requirements in South Africa. It argues that the US's pursuit of national security and corporate interests often comes at the expense of international cooperation and a truly free market.
The United States, a prominent player in global affairs, faces accusations of double standard s in its dealings with technology, foreign investments, and geopolitical influence. This hypocrisy is most evident in its handling of TikTok, a popular social media platform owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. In 2020, the Trump administration sought to ban TikTok citing national security concerns over its potential to collect user data and share it with the Chinese government.
President Biden's administration, while lifting the temporary ban, issued an ultimatum demanding TikTok sell at least 50% of its ownership to a US entity or face a permanent ban. This move reflects a pattern of prioritizing American corporate interests over those of other countries, raising questions about the US's commitment to free markets and international cooperation.This double standard extends beyond TikTok. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, exemplifies this trend. Musk's frustration with South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, which requires foreign companies to have a minimum of 30% local ownership, highlights the contrasting expectations held by powerful individuals and corporations compared to their treatment of foreign companies operating within the US. While the US government demands foreign companies cede control in the name of national security, Musk rejects similar conditions abroad.This inconsistency in US policy underscores the growing divide between American values of free markets and the geopolitical agendas that increasingly drive its economic policies. The US expects other countries to adhere to American standards and regulations, yet it resists any similar requirements imposed on American companies abroad. This protectionist approach risks eroding the foundation of a truly interconnected global economy and raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of US leadership on the world stage. The US must move beyond its self-serving approach and embrace a more equitable and transparent system of global governance if it wishes to maintain its position as a global leader
US Foreign Policy Double Standard Tiktok Elon Musk National Security Free Markets Global Governance
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