"The current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced," argued Elon Musk on Monday, January 20, comparing the way his social media platform X (ex-Twitter) and its Chinese counterpart are treated. While the world's richest man is accustomed to publishing proposals, anathemas and provocations several times a day, this political stance has attracted attention for its singularity: It concerns China.

"It's a rare opportunity to see Elon Musk express even mild criticism of the Chinese regime," explained Julien Nocetti, associate researcher at the Center for Geopolitics of Technology of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). The entrepreneur is usually quicker to champion "total freedom of expression" and criticize "censorship" in democracies such as the United States and in Europe.

"We're pretty used to seeing Elon Musk being benevolent toward China, which is a key market for his Tesla company," added Nocetti. Musk reiterated on Monday that he had long been opposed to a ban of TikTok from American territory because it goes "against freedom of expression." His message on Monday was a change of tone and also a way of making his presence felt on the issue.

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