NAIROBI, Kenya — The TikTok saga is approaching its grand finale—at least, that’s what U.S. President Donald Trump suggests.
With an April 5 deadline looming, Trump insists that a deal will be made for the wildly popular short-video app to change hands from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
But here’s the catch: China still holds the power to approve—or block—the sale.
The debate over TikTok’s ownership isn’t just about viral dances and meme culture.
It’s about data security, international politics, and, apparently, tariff negotiations.
As Washington pressures ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a U.S. ban, the clock is ticking on one of the most closely watched tech deals in recent history.
TikTok is on the brink of a total shutdown in the USA this week, unless a last-minute sale saves it! 🤯
A Race Against the April 5 Deadline
In January, Trump’s administration set April 5 as the final day for ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity, citing national security concerns.
Lawmakers have long feared that the Chinese government could use the app for espionage or influence campaigns, given ByteDance’s headquarters in Beijing.
Despite bipartisan support for the 2024 law mandating TikTok’s sale, Trump has previously hinted that he might extend the deadline if necessary.
But now, with just days to go, he sounds more confident than ever. “A deal will be made,” he told reporters, signaling that negotiations are reaching their final stages.
Vice President JD Vance echoed the sentiment, saying he expects the broad terms of a resolution to be in place by the deadline.
Still, TikTok’s future remains uncertain—because even if Washington approves a deal, Beijing might not.
Trump says TikTok sale deal to be announced before Saturday deadline trib.al/6lEQKxN
China’s Role: The Ultimate Power Move?
Trump, never one to shy away from a deal-making opportunity, acknowledged last week that getting China on board won’t be easy.
In a classic Trump-style negotiation tactic, he floated the idea of reducing tariffs on China as a bargaining chip to push the TikTok sale through.
That’s right—one of the most significant tech policy battles in recent years could hinge on trade negotiations.
If China refuses to sign off on a deal, ByteDance may not be able to sell TikTok, setting up a legal and geopolitical showdown.
With nearly 170 million Americans using the app, the outcome of this battle won’t just affect Silicon Valley or Washington. It will shape the future of social media, global tech ownership, and U.S.-China relations.
President Trump said he would consider a reduction in tariffs on China if Beijing approved a sale of TikTok’s operations in the United States.
The White House: Playing Investment Banker?
In a surprising twist, the White House has been unusually hands-on in the TikTok negotiations, playing a role that’s more akin to an investment bank than a government body.
Officials have reportedly been deeply involved in brokering potential sales and ensuring compliance with the national security law.
With the clock running out, the next few days will determine whether TikTok finds a new owner—or faces an uncertain future in the U.S.
One thing’s for sure: whatever happens next will set a precedent for how the U.S. handles foreign-owned tech companies going forward.
So, is this really the final chapter in TikTok’s long-running political drama? Maybe.
But with China still holding the power to approve or block the deal, there’s plenty of room for a last-minute plot twist.
