(Yicai) Jan. 24 -- China has called for a fair business environment for all enterprises, including Chinese firms, after US President Donald Trump suggested joint half ownership of ByteDance’s TikTok app.

“We hope that the US will listen more to the voices of enterprises and the public, and provide a fair and just business environment for companies from all countries, including Chinese enterprises,” commerce ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference yesterday.

China has always respected and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and opposed actions that violate the basic principles of the market economy and harm the legitimate interests of enterprises, He added.

On his first day back in the Oval Office on Jan. 20, Trump said “the US should be entitled to get half of TikTok.” He made the remark in a question and answer sessions with reporters while signing an executive order that pauses the enforcement of a ban in the United States on the popular social media app, creating a 75-day window in which to strike a deal.

“The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which came into force on Jan. 19, regulates ‘foreign adversary controlled applications,’ specifically those operated by TikTok and any other subsidiary of its China-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd., on national security grounds,” according to the executive order posted on the White House’s website.

Trump also told reporters that TikTok could be worth “maybe USD1 trillion,” but would be worthless if it was shut down.

TikTok has operated in the United States for years and has been very popular among American users, Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Jan. 20. It has also played a positive role in boosting employment and consumption, she pointed out.

"When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles," Mao noted, adding that if matters involve Chinese firms, China's laws and regulations should be observed.

At yesterday's press conference, He was also asked about Trump’s Jan. 22 threat to impose a 10 percent tariff increase on Chinese imports from Feb. 1. "Tariff measures are not conducive to the interests of either China or the United States, nor to the rest of the world," he said.

Editor: Futura Costaglione