US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his administration was in talks with four groups interested in buying Tiktok, the social media platform belonging to Chinese who was at the center of a national security controversy.
Addressing journalists on the Air Force One, Trump hinted that an agreement could be close, describing the four potential buyers as “good” options.
“We are dealing with four different groups, and many people want it … All four are good,” said Trump. “He could [happen soon]. “”
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Tiktok turbulent trip
The announcement marks a critical moment in Tiktok’s difficult course in the United States, the application, which belongs to Beijing based on Bytedance, has faced the growing pressure of the United States government to fear that it will share data with the Chinese government, constituting a national security threat.
Tiktok disorders began seriously during the Trump administration in 2020 when a decree sought to ban the application unless bytedance sells its American operations to an American company. Microsoft, Oracle and Walmart were among the companies in the running for an agreement at the time, but a sale has never materialized as the administration has changed and the legal battles followed.
Subsequently, Tiktok tried to navigate the storm by strengthening transparency and data security. The company proposed “Project Texas”, which consisted in storing American user data on American soil using Oracle. Despite these efforts, the concerns persisted and the pressure has again set up with the adoption of a new law, forcing to divest itself from Tiktok or to face a ban in the United States on January 19, 2025.
Trump, who took office on January 20, signed an executive decree providing a period of 75 days to the application of the prohibition. However, with the rotating clock, the besieged application had a hard time finding a viable path forward.
A desperate search for a buyer
Bytedance would have exhausted all its options for Tiktok to operate in the United States. But with all the other apparently closed avenues, a sale seems to be the last lifeline for the platform, which has more than 150 million American users.
Several groups have expressed their interest in acquiring Tiktok, including the former owner of Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt. Analysts believe that Tiktok could be evaluated up to $ 50 billion, a testimony to its cultural influence and its commercial potential.
McCourt, known for its companies in technology and the media, could bring a new vision to Tiktok. However, Trump has not revealed if McCourt is one of the four groups currently in talks.
Trump’s role as a manufacturer of kings
Trump’s involvement in negotiations is considered critical given his complicated relationship with Tiktok. The position of its administration will influence not only the terms of any sale, but will also establish a precedent on the way in which the United States treats technological companies belonging to foreign companies. The president has maintained a hard position on Chinese technology, a position that aligns with the wider bipartite consensus in Washington.
Trump’s executive decree delaying the ban has provided a close window for negotiations, but this also highlights the urgency to reach an agreement. If the count does not manage to secure a buyer, Tiktok could be prohibited in the United States, bringing a significant blow to its global operations. The application had previously closed as the deadline of January 19 approach, but restored its service as a result of Trump’s intervention.
On national security issues
The sale of Tiktok is mainly influenced by national security problems. The US government fears that the Chinese Communist Party can oblige Byédance to hand over user data or manipulate content on the platform to influence public opinion.
Tiktok has repeatedly denied these allegations, declaring that its data centers for American users are located outside China and are not subject to Chinese laws. However, skepticism remains and the Chinese property of the application continues to be a point of collision for the American authorities.
However, a sale could reshape the social media industry. If an American company acquires Tiktok, it could stabilize the future of the platform in the United States and offer new growth opportunities.
Time is exhausted for Tiktok
The 75 -day delay granted by Trump’s decree is fast approaching. Bytedance and interested buyers must navigate complex regulatory approvals and finalize negotiations before the deadline.
A sale would probably require the authorization of the foreign investment committee in the United States (CFIUS), which has the power to block transactions that pose national security risks. Given the high issues, negotiations should be closely examined by the American and Chinese authorities.
Although Tiktok’s fate is at stake, a successful sale could allow the application to continue operating in the United States without disturbance. The platform, known for its short videos and viral trends, has become a cultural phenomenon, especially among young audiences.
