President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday his intention to issue an executive order to delay a TikTok ban.
He emphasized a potential deal that would grant the United States partial ownership of the app. His remarks came after the app faced a blackout in the U.S. due to concerns over its Chinese ownership.
The controversial law, which went into effect on Sunday, mandated the removal of TikTok from app stores and blocked new downloads. However, it included a provision for a 90-day delay if progress towards a sale was demonstrated.
ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, had resisted selling its U.S. operations.
Trump stated, “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
He proposed a joint venture in which the United States would hold a 50% stake, predicting the app’s valuation could soar to “hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.”
TikTok, which has become a cultural phenomenon, has faced scrutiny over disinformation and its Chinese ownership. Despite supporting a ban, Trump acknowledged the platform’s role in connecting him with younger voters.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration stated it would defer the matter to Trump, who would assume office on Monday. Biden’s team confirmed it would not enforce the ban under the current circumstances.
TikTok informed users of Trump’s plans, expressing optimism for a resolution.
Meanwhile, reactions to the blackout were widespread, with tennis star Coco Gauff expressing disappointment at the Australian Open.
In Europe, Estonia’s Foreign Minister advocated a similar ban, citing concerns over disinformation. The legislative restrictions also placed obligations on companies like Apple, Google, and Oracle to enforce the ban. However, industry experts cautioned that congressional constraints might limit Trump’s ability to lift the ban without ByteDance agreeing to a sale.
