How TikTok became a ‘poker chip’ in a high-stakes game between Trump and China
2 months, 1 week ago

How TikTok became a ‘poker chip’ in a high-stakes game between Trump and China

CNN  

New York CNN — In his first few days back in office, President Trump is talking about TikTok entirely as a deal making exercise, dropping all of his previously expressed concerns about Chinese influence and American national security. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, suggesting “a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners.” He framed the ban as an American approval process, telling supporters at a Sunday rally that “TikTok is worth nothing, zero, without an approval.” That view stems from the fact that TikTok has a large and devoted fan base in the United States, and that the app’s tech partners are based in the US, meaning an American ban has impacts around the world. On Monday, Trump overstated his power over the app, saying “essentially with TikTok, I have the right to either sell it or close it, and we’ll make that determination,” as if he owned ByteDance. “So what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is, ‘Buy it and give half to the United States of America, half, and we’ll give you the permit.’” When asked if he would support Musk acquiring the app, Trump responded, “I would be.” Musk, who already owns the social media app X and could find many synergies between X and TikTok, has yet to comment on the possibility. Tellingly, though, Trump asserted at his Sunday rally that “we have no choice” but to keep TikTok alive because “we have to save a lot of jobs.” That’s been a key talking point amplified by TikTok executives - that the app supports millions of small businesses and content creators in the United States.

China Trump App Chinese Tiktok American Ford Deal Bytedance  app  days  game  tiktok  trump  poker  american  deal  china  bytedance  highstakes  chip  united  chinese

History of this topic

Trump offers China tariff concessions in exchange for TikTok deal
2 days, 17 hours ago

Trump offers China tariff concessions in exchange for TikTok deal

Firstpost  

Even though US President Donald Trump has vowed to save TikTok from a ban, he needs China’s help as China needs to approve any deal for the sale of TikTok’s US operations as the app’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China US President Donald Trump has offered China a deal: facilitate the sale of TikTok’s US operations and secure …

Will Donald Trump cut tariffs on China to facilitate TikTok sale bid? What the US President says
Trending News
2 days, 21 hours ago

Will Donald Trump cut tariffs on China to facilitate TikTok sale bid? What the US President says

Live Mint  

US President Donald Trump indicated a reduction in tariffs imposed on China to reach an agreement with ByteDance for TikTok's sale, a platform used by 170 million people in the US, reported Reuters. By then, ByteDance must find a non-Chinese buyer for TikTok, or it may face a ban in the US on national security grounds, which would have taken …

China could get tariff relief if it strikes TikTok deal with US: Donald Trump
Trending News
2 days, 23 hours ago

China could get tariff relief if it strikes TikTok deal with US: Donald Trump

India Today  

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would be willing to reduce tariffs on China to get a deal done with TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the short video app used by 170 million Americans. He acknowledged the role China will play in getting any deal done, including giving its approval, saying "maybe I'll give them a little …

Trump says he may cut China tariffs to secure TikTok deal
Top News
2 days, 23 hours ago

Trump says he may cut China tariffs to secure TikTok deal

Al Jazeera  

Trump says he will be willing to extend TikTok sale deadline in exchange for trade concessions. United States President Donald Trump says he would be willing to reduce tariff rates on China to secure a deal with TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell the social media app used by 170 million Americans. “TikTok is a tool China uses to …

Existing ByteDance investors emerge as front-runners in TikTok deal talks
1 week ago

Existing ByteDance investors emerge as front-runners in TikTok deal talks

The Hindu  

White House-led talks on the future of TikTok are coalescing around a plan for the biggest non-Chinese investors in parent company ByteDance to up their stakes and acquire the short video app's U.S. operations, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. Under the plan proposed by existing investors, software giant Oracle would continue to house U.S. user data and …

AI startup Perplexity confirms interest to buy TikTok
1 week, 1 day ago

AI startup Perplexity confirms interest to buy TikTok

Raw Story  

by Glenn CHAPMAN Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity on Friday expressed its interest in buying TikTok, which faces a deadline to divest from its Chinese owner or be banned in the United States. "Combining Perplexity's answer engine with TikTok's extensive video library would allow us to build the best search experience in the world," the San Francisco-based firm reasoned. President Donald …

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company
Trending News
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company

The Hindu  

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States. Trump’s order came a few days after the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest or be banned in January. In January, Perplexity …

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company

Associated Press  

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States. Trump’s order came a few days after the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest or be banned in January. In January, Perplexity …

Trump says U.S. talking to four different groups on sale of TikTok
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Trump says U.S. talking to four different groups on sale of TikTok

The Hindu  

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration was in touch with four different groups about the sale of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, and that all options were good. TikTok's fate has been up in the air since a law requiring its owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban took …

4 groups in talks to buy TikTok, says Trump
2 weeks, 5 days ago

4 groups in talks to buy TikTok, says Trump

Firstpost  

After suspending the bipartisan ban on TikTok shortly after assuming office, US President Donald Trump has been pursuing a sale of the app’s US operations for its continued working in the country Trump’s proposed involvement of the US government in TikTok’s operations, particularly his desire for the US govt to hold a 50% stake in a joint venture, has raised …

Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale: All options good
Trending News
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale: All options good

India Today  

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration was in touch with four different groups about the sale of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, and that all options were good. TikTok's fate has been up in the air since a law requiring its owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban took …

TikTok ban: Donald Trump open to extending another olive branch to Chinese company; ‘Lot of interest in…’
3 weeks, 1 day ago

TikTok ban: Donald Trump open to extending another olive branch to Chinese company; ‘Lot of interest in…’

Live Mint  

US President Donald Trump has signalled his willingness to save the popular short-video app TikTok from another potential ban. Donald Trump on giving extension to TikTok: Speaking to the media on Thursday, Trump said there was a ‘lot of interest’ in buying TikTok and he would probably not need an extension given that there was still another month left untill …

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the U.S., after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a TikTok ban. TikTok, which is operated by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on Jan. 18 to comply with a law that requires ByteDance to divest the app …

Elon Musk says he is not interested in buying TikTok
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk says he is not interested in buying TikTok

Deccan Chronicle  

Billionaire Elon Musk said that he was not interested in purchasing TikTok, the popular short-video app that the United States has been trying to ban over national security concerns with its Chinese owner ByteDance. "I have not put in a bid for TikTok," Musk said a week after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to Musk buying the …

'I Have Not Put In A Bid For TikTok', Elon Musk Clarifies He Has No Interest In Taking Over Company's US Operations
1 month, 2 weeks ago

'I Have Not Put In A Bid For TikTok', Elon Musk Clarifies He Has No Interest In Taking Over Company's US Operations

ABP News  

Speculations were surfacing earlier about Chinese officials reaching out to X owner Elon Musk for the acquisition of TikTok's operations in the US. Now Musk has stated that he has no interest in acquiring TikTok, the widely popular short video app currently facing potential bans in the United States over concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Musk, who …

TikTok Stole Our Hearts, but Can It Last?
55 years, 2 months ago

TikTok Stole Our Hearts, but Can It Last?

Wired  

Lauren Goode: That is one of the hardest languages to learn, so godspeed to you. Well, we're going to go to one that's fully based in China, definitely does not have servers in the United States to the extent that TikTok does. In fact, we're going to be posting memes and jokes about saying goodbye to our trusted Chinese spy." …

'Can't think of a worse idea': GOP insider trashes Trump's new TikTok scheme
1 month, 3 weeks ago

'Can't think of a worse idea': GOP insider trashes Trump's new TikTok scheme

Raw Story  

While Republican strategist Brad Todd is normally supportive of President Donald Trump's initiatives, he said the president would be making a massive mistake if he established a sovereign wealth fund and used it to buy TikTok. In the wake of Trump musing about buying TikTok on Monday, Todd appeared on CNN Tuesday to pour cold water on the entire venture …

Trump says an American sovereign wealth fund could acquire TikTok. Here’s what we know
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Trump says an American sovereign wealth fund could acquire TikTok. Here’s what we know

CNN  

New York CNN — President Donald Trump said Monday that TikTok could be acquired by a newly proposed US sovereign wealth fund. The statement was light on details, but Trump said that TikTok could be “put in” the possible sovereign wealth fund, to preserve access to the popular short-form video app in the United States. “Other countries have sovereign wealth …

Only a Great Firewall of America can block Chinese apps like DeepSeek and TikTok now
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Only a Great Firewall of America can block Chinese apps like DeepSeek and TikTok now

The Independent  

For a few days in mid January, something happened on the internet that had never happened before – at least not on this scale. Some even referred to it as “2025’s Berlin Wall” moment, with RedNote offering US users a peek through the cyber barrier that usually separates the two countries, known as China’s Great Firewall. “DeepSeek’s arrival is a …

Donald Trump Says Microsoft Is In Discussions To Acquire TikTok, Names India, China As High-Tariff Countries
2 months ago

Donald Trump Says Microsoft Is In Discussions To Acquire TikTok, Names India, China As High-Tariff Countries

ABP News  

US President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that Microsoft is conducting discussions to acquire TikTok. Trump Names India, China As High-Tariff Countries Notably, the President also stated recently that the US will impose tariffs on countries that ‘harm; America. Speaking with House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, Trump named China, Brazil, and India as high-tariff countries and …

Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, says Donald Trump
2 months ago

Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, says Donald Trump

Deccan Chronicle  

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war over the app. Trump said last week that he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision on the popular app's future in 30 days. During his …

Trump announces Microsoft is in race to acquire TikTok, expects a bidding war
2 months ago

Trump announces Microsoft is in race to acquire TikTok, expects a bidding war

Firstpost  

Trump has previously said that he was in discussions with several parties about purchasing TikTok and expects to make a decision on the app’s future within the next 30 days A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. PresidentDonald Trump and TikTok logo are seen in this illustration. File image/ Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Microsoft is …

Donald Trump confirms Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok, teases potential bidding war
Trending News
2 months ago

Donald Trump confirms Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok, teases potential bidding war

Live Mint  

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok in the US. Without going into much detail, Trump said that there will be a ‘bidding war’ for the future of short video app and categorically stated that ‘China won’t be involved’. While confirming that Microsoft is in talks to buy US arm of TikTok, Trump …

Trump says Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok, calls for bidding war over app
2 months ago

Trump says Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok, calls for bidding war over app

Hindustan Times  

US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Microsoft is in talks to acquire video-sharing platform TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war over the app, reported Reuters. US President Donald Trump has called for a bidding war over TikTok Donald Trump said that there were many contenders looking to buy TikTok and that he “would …

Trump says Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok
2 months ago

Trump says Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok

Al Jazeera  

US president says there’s ‘great interest’ in purchasing the video-sharing platform facing a ban on national security grounds. United States President Donald Trump has said Microsoft is among the companies considering buying TikTok so the platform can avoid a ban on national security grounds. Asked late on Monday if Microsoft was in talks to acquire the popular video-sharing app, Trump …

Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, says US President Trump
2 months ago

Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, says US President Trump

India Today  

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war over the app. Trump said last week that he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision on the popular app's future in 30 days. During his …

Trump to decide TikTok's future in 30 days, discussing platform's sale with several parties
2 months ago

Trump to decide TikTok's future in 30 days, discussing platform's sale with several parties

Firstpost  

The Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan that involves Oracle, and a group of investors taking control of TikTok’s operations. ByteDance would retain a stake, but Oracle would oversee key elements like data collection and software updates Trump’s proposed involvement of the US government in TikTok’s operations, particularly his desire for the US govt to hold a 50% …

New bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI could give US government 50% stake
2 months ago

New bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI could give US government 50% stake

The Hindu  

Perplexity AI has presented a new proposal to TikTok’s parent company that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50% of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok’s U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter. The first proposal, which ByteDance hasn't responded to, sought to create a new structure that would merge San Francisco-based …

Does TikTok have a US buyer? Trump advises on new bid which could give government 50% stake
2 months ago

Does TikTok have a US buyer? Trump advises on new bid which could give government 50% stake

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The proposal, by Perplexity AI, would allow the U.S. government to own up to …

Perplexity AI's new proposal for TikTok could give 50% stake to US government
2 months ago

Perplexity AI's new proposal for TikTok could give 50% stake to US government

Hindustan Times  

Perplexity AI has come up with a new proposal to TikTok's parent company, China-based ByteDance, that would allow the US government to own up to 50 per cent stake in the new entity that the merged business would create, The Associated Press reported. ByteDance hadn't responded to the first proposal, which sought to create a new structure to merge the …

New bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI could give US government 50% stake
2 months ago

New bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI could give US government 50% stake

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Perplexity AI has presented a new proposal to TikTok’s parent company that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50% of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok’s U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter. The first proposal, which ByteDance hasn’t responded to, sought to create a new structure that would merge …

Oracle and Microsoft in talks to take over TikTok under Trump administration plan: Report
2 months ago

Oracle and Microsoft in talks to take over TikTok under Trump administration plan: Report

Live Mint  

Donald Trump administration is working on a plan to save TikTok by tapping Oracle and a group of outside investors that includes Microsoft to take control of the short-video app, according to an NPR report citing sources. TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance is said to retain a minority stake in the company, but the reported deal could see the app's algorithm, …

TikTok loaded phones selling for thousands of dollars on eBay, as app stays unavailable in US
2 months ago

TikTok loaded phones selling for thousands of dollars on eBay, as app stays unavailable in US

Live Mint  

Smartphones pre-loaded with TikTok are being sold for thousands of dollars on eBay, Facebook marketplace and other online stores as the Chinese app continues to remain absent on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the US, the Associated Press reported. The ByteDance-owned app had become unavailable to users in the US and was also removed from App …

Exclusive: White House in talks to have Oracle and U.S. investors take over TikTok
2 months ago

Exclusive: White House in talks to have Oracle and U.S. investors take over TikTok

NPR  

Exclusive: White House in talks to have Oracle and U.S. investors take over TikTok toggle caption Damian Dovarganes/AP The Trump administration is working on a plan to save TikTok that involves tapping software company Oracle and a group of outside investors to effectively take control of the app's global operations, according to two people with direct knowledge of the talks. …

Trump says banning TikTok won’t make Americans safer from China. He may have a point
2 months ago

Trump says banning TikTok won’t make Americans safer from China. He may have a point

CNN  

New York CNN — President Donald Trump on Wednesday batted down the national security concerns surrounding TikTok, saying, “Is it that important for China to be spying on young people? In his 2020 executive order that unsuccessfully tried to ban the app, Trump said TikTok’s data collection could allow China’s government “to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, …

TikTok, trade and tariffs: What is Trump playing at with China?
2 months ago

TikTok, trade and tariffs: What is Trump playing at with China?

The Independent  

How well do Donald Trump and Xi Jinping get on? Obviously, that strained it.” Yet the president went on to add words that might dismay some China “hawks” in his cabinet: “We always had a great relationship, I would say, and we look forward to doing very well with China and getting along with China.” The Chinese Communist leader’s private …

Donald Trump Dismisses Concerns On China Spying Via TikTok: Here's What He Said
2 months ago

Donald Trump Dismisses Concerns On China Spying Via TikTok: Here's What He Said

ABP News  

US President Donald Trump has downplayed national security concerns surrounding TikTok, the popular video-sharing app under scrutiny for its ties to China. “You could say the same about everything made in China,” Trump remarked after host Sean Hannity raised concerns about TikTok's data practices, reported the Washington Times. Young people watching crazy videos and things.” TikTok's Future Hangs In Balance …

China using TikTok to spy on Americans? Donald Trump's ‘bigger threat’ response
Trending News
2 months ago

China using TikTok to spy on Americans? Donald Trump's ‘bigger threat’ response

Hindustan Times  

US President Donald Trump, in his first interview since taking office for the second time, on Thursday dismissed concerns about the national security risks surrounding the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform TikTok. US President Donald Trump defended TikTok in an interview “Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids, watching crazy videos?” Trump said to …

'Living on borrowed time': Republicans 'cross fingers' on Trump's TikTok plan
2 months, 1 week ago

'Living on borrowed time': Republicans 'cross fingers' on Trump's TikTok plan

Raw Story  

President Donald Trump unilaterally paused the law passed by Congress from taking effect that mandates TikTok sell to an American owner. But I think we’re living on borrowed time with TikTok.” Other Republican Trump allies like Sen. John Kennedy, who voted for the TikTok ban, now says he trusts the company. “The law says that TikTok has to show us …

What next for TikTok? MrBeast and Elon Musk among potential buyers as ban deadline looms
2 months, 1 week ago

What next for TikTok? MrBeast and Elon Musk among potential buyers as ban deadline looms

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. So, what I am thinking about saying to somebody is, ‘buy it and give half to the …

‘If he wanted to buy it…’: Trump says he is open to Musk acquiring TikTok
2 months, 1 week ago

‘If he wanted to buy it…’: Trump says he is open to Musk acquiring TikTok

Firstpost  

TikTok is facing down a US law that ordered the company to divest from its Chinese owner ByteDance or be banned in the United States US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would be open to tech billionaire Elon Musk – the owner of social media platform X – buying Chinese-owned app TikTok. TikTok is facing down a US law …

Trump says would be open to Musk buying TikTok
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump says would be open to Musk buying TikTok

Deccan Chronicle  

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would be open to tech billionaire Elon Musk -- the owner of social media platform X -- buying Chinese-owned app TikTok. "I would be if he wanted to buy it," Trump told reporters when asked if he was open to Musk, world's richest man and the head of a budget cutting initiative in …

Trump gives TikTok an illegal amnesty
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump gives TikTok an illegal amnesty

Live Mint  

President Trump took the oath of office Monday promising to faithfully execute the duties of his office, which include implementing the laws passed by Congress. Mr. Trump issued an executive order on Monday promising not to enforce the law’s penalties against tech companies that host the TikTok app for 75 days. Mike Waltz, Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, on Sunday …

Trump open to Musk buying TikTok if Tesla CEO wants to do so
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump open to Musk buying TikTok if Tesla CEO wants to do so

The Hindu  

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was open to billionaire Elon Musk buying social media app TikTok if the Tesla CEO wanted to do so. Bloomberg News reported last week that Chinese officials were in preliminary talks about a potential option to sell TikTok's operations in the United States to Musk, though the company has denied that. The …

Trump says he's open to Elon Musk buying TikTok and negotiates a deal with billionaire Larry Ellison in front of the press
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump says he's open to Elon Musk buying TikTok and negotiates a deal with billionaire Larry Ellison in front of the press

Daily Mail  

President Donald Trump, on his first full day in office, said he was interested in the idea that the world's richest man Elon Musk could buy TikTok to stop it going dark in the United States. President Donald Trump took questions from reporters for 30 minutes at the end of his first full day in office. He said he was …

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions

China Daily  

The resumption of TikTok's basic functions in the United States, after it was temporarily suspended on Saturday, is definitely good news for its 170 million users in the country, including the 7 million small businesses that rely on the social media platform. However, the new US leader's statement on his Truth Social platform that he would like the US to …

Trump using TikTok as leverage in Sino-US trade links, experts say
2 months, 1 week ago

Trump using TikTok as leverage in Sino-US trade links, experts say

China Daily  

United States President Donald Trump seems to be using TikTok, a popular video-sharing app owned by Chinese tech company Byte-Dance, as a bargaining chip in Sino-US economic and trade relations, experts said on Tuesday. The US is using national security as a pretext to contain and crack down on Chinese companies operating in the country, which is not only harming …

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions
Top News
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions

China Daily  

By ZHANG ZHOUXIANG | China Daily | Updated: 2025-01-22 06:59 The logo of TikTok is seen on the screen of a smartphone in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 13, 2024. The resumption of TikTok's basic functions in the United States, after it was temporarily suspended on Saturday, is definitely good news for its 170 million users in the country, …

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions
Top News
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions

China Daily  

By ZHANG ZHOUXIANG | China Daily | Updated: 2025-01-22 06:59 The logo of TikTok is seen on the screen of a smartphone in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 13, 2024. The resumption of TikTok's basic functions in the United States, after it was temporarily suspended on Saturday, is definitely good news for its 170 million users in the country, …

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions
Top News
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok farce has damaging repercussions

China Daily  

The logo of TikTok is seen on the screen of a smartphone in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 13, 2024. The resumption of TikTok's basic functions in the United States, after it was temporarily suspended on Saturday, is definitely good news for its 170 million users in the country, including the 7 million small businesses that rely on the …

Discover Related