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Trump to Negotiate TikTok’s Future with China
President Donald Trump has stated his intention to negotiate TikTok’s future with China’s government. Speaking on Air Force One, he expressed optimism about striking a deal. “There’s a lot of people interested in TikTok, and we have a chance of doing something good,” Trump told reporters. He added that discussions with China are essential, as they are a key party in the matter. Trump suggested selling TikTok to a capable entity to ensure its success.
TikTok Controversy and National Security Concerns
TikTok has faced national security scrutiny due to its connection with China through its parent company, ByteDance. Lawmakers have voiced concerns over the platform’s potential risks. Last year, President Joe Biden signed legislation that pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban. The law set a deadline of January 19 for compliance, but Trump’s stance shifted. While initially supporting a ban, Trump reversed course and aimed for a solution, preventing the ban from taking effect.
Ban Reversal and Service Restoration
TikTok briefly went offline for U.S. users on January 19, but service was quickly restored after Trump intervened. Both Apple and Google resumed offering TikTok downloads after suspending them due to the ban.
Executive Order and U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund
Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for ByteDance to find a new TikTok owner by 75 days. In a separate move, he proposed establishing a U.S. sovereign wealth fund to potentially invest in TikTok. “If we make the right deal, we’ll do it, otherwise we won’t,”Trump shared his remarks in a video posted by the White House on social platform X.
Potential Investors and Ownership Talks
Trump has discussed the possibility of the U.S. owning 50% of TikTok, with potential investors including AI firm Perplexity AI and social media star MrBeast. Talks around the future of TikTok remain ongoing.
