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US Lawmakers Seek Congressional Scrutiny of TikTok Joint Venture Deal

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U.S. lawmakers said a proposed joint venture by TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance to avoid a nationwide ban requires close congressional scrutiny, citing unresolved national security concerns. The deal would create a majority American-owned entity to operate TikTok in the United States, with U.S. and global investors holding 80.1% and ByteDance retaining 19.9%.

Republican Representative Jack Moolenaar, chair of the House select committee on China, said lawmakers must examine whether China could still influence TikTok’s algorithm or access U.S. user data. Democratic Senator Ed Markey also criticised the lack of transparency, saying Congress has a duty to investigate whether the arrangement truly protects national security while keeping the app online.

TikTok said the new entity would safeguard U.S. data, apps and algorithms through enhanced cybersecurity and privacy measures, but disclosed few details. The White House and TikTok declined immediate comment. The agreement marks a key moment after years of political and legal battles over TikTok’s operations in the United States.

Tesla Raises U.S. Lease Prices After EV Tax Credit Expiration

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Tesla (TSLA.O) has increased lease prices across all its models in the United States following the expiration of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit, which had significantly boosted EV demand over the past two years. The company’s website showed the new rates on Wednesday.

The price adjustment comes after Congress allowed key EV incentives to expire on September 30, ending tax breaks of $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs that were introduced under earlier clean energy legislation. Tesla and other automakers had used these credits to offer more attractive leasing options to consumers.

Higher Lease Prices Across the Lineup

Tesla’s Model Y, its best-selling vehicle, now leases for $529–$599 per month, up from $479–$529 previously. The Model 3, which recently underwent a design refresh, saw lease prices climb to $429–$759 per month, from $349–$699 before.
Despite these leasing changes, vehicle purchase prices remain unchanged on Tesla’s official site.

Market Pressure Mounts as Incentives Fade

The expiration of federal tax credits threatens to cool U.S. demand for electric vehicles, which had already shown signs of slowing after years of rapid expansion. Industry executives and analysts have warned that the loss of subsidies could deter new buyers, especially as higher interest rates and economic uncertainty weigh on household budgets.

According to Cox Automotive, Tesla’s U.S. market share fell to 38% in August, its lowest level in nearly eight years — a sharp decline from the over 80% share it once commanded. The fall reflects growing competition from established automakers like Ford, Hyundai, and GM, as well as new entrants from China and Europe.

Analysts said the lease price hike may further limit Tesla’s competitiveness in the short term, especially as rivals introduce lower-cost EV models and attractive financing options to capture former Tesla customers.

Trump–Xi call breathes life into TikTok U.S. asset sale talks

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A call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has revived hopes for a deal that would see ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. assets, though key details remain unsettled.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated Xi’s “approval of the TikTok deal,” though China’s readout stopped short of endorsing a sale. Beijing instead emphasized respect for market-based negotiations that comply with Chinese law. Analysts said the difference in tone suggests both leaders want to project progress while keeping leverage in ongoing talks.

The tentative breakthrough comes after months of deadlock. Congress mandated ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 2025 or face a nationwide ban, but Trump has repeatedly extended deadlines, citing TikTok’s popularity with American voters and its political value. The latest extension runs until December 19.

Still, major hurdles remain: the ownership structure, the degree of Chinese control over TikTok’s algorithm, and whether Congress will sign off. Reuters has reported that any U.S. version of TikTok under new ownership would likely continue using ByteDance’s algorithm, a sticking point for lawmakers worried about data security and influence operations.

China blocked a similar deal earlier this year amid trade tensions, and experts say it may do so again if U.S. demands cross Beijing’s red lines. “The contours of the conversation better align with China’s interests than U.S. interests,” said Scott Kennedy of CSIS, noting structural reforms were not on the table.

Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute called the talks “positive and constructive” but stressed that the algorithm question remains unresolved.

For now, the deal remains fragile: Beijing wants to protect its tech assets, Washington wants to claim victory on national security, and Trump is balancing political calculations against congressional pressure. Months of negotiations still lie ahead.