Trump says TikTok deal expected before April 5 deadline

CALIFORNIA: Former US President Donald Trump has said a deal for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app’s US operations will be finalised before Saturday’s deadline. 

The April 5 deadline, set in January under a 2024 national security law, requires TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or risk being banned in the US. The app has around 170 million American users. 

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “We have a lot of potential buyers. There’s tremendous interest in TikTok. I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.” 

TikTok has not responded publicly to the latest developments. 

Investment firm Blackstone is reportedly considering taking a small minority stake in TikTok’s US business, according to Reuters. Discussions are underway with ByteDance’s non-Chinese investors, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, to inject fresh capital into a potential deal. This consortium is currently seen as the leading contender. 

US officials have long raised concerns over TikTok’s ties to China, warning that ByteDance’s ownership could allow Beijing to access American user data or spread propaganda. 

Trump has previously signalled he might be open to extending the deadline if necessary. He has also suggested that any deal would likely require China’s approval and hinted at the possibility of reducing tariffs to facilitate an agreement. 

Vice President JD Vance has expressed optimism that a resolution will be reached by the deadline. However, the uncertainty surrounding the app’s future remains, with the White House actively overseeing negotiations. 

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