Donald Trump announced plans to begin discussions with China regarding the TikTok deal on either Monday or Tuesday.
The US President indicated that the US has “mostly” finalized a deal to sell the TikTok short-video application.
“I think we’ll start on Monday or Tuesday… I may talk to President Xi or one of his representatives, but we’re mostly set with the deal,” Trump shared with reporters on Air Force One last Friday.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of visiting Xi Jinping in China, or that Chinese officials might come to the US.
Last month, both leaders exchanged invitations to visit each other’s countries.
Last month, Trump extended the deadline for the China-based ordinance to September 17th, concerning the sale of TikTok’s US assets, which is a popular social media platform with 170 million users in the United States.
Earlier this spring, there was a deal in motion to create a new US-based company for TikTok, predominantly owned by American investors, but it was stalled after China indicated disapproval, coinciding with the announcement of high tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump stated on Friday that the US needs to secure a transaction that has likely been authorized by China.
When asked about his confidence in Beijing’s willingness to finalize the deal, he responded: “I’m not confident, but I think so. President Xi and I have a good relationship. I believe that benefits them.”
Trump’s June extension marks his third executive order aimed at delaying the ban or sale of TikTok, providing an additional 90 days to identify potential buyers or risk the app being banned in the US.
His first executive order, which granted TikTok a temporary respite, was issued on his first day in office, just three days after the Supreme Court upheld the ban. He issued a second executive order in April, with deadlines for sale or ban initially set for June 19th. TikTok will now be available until September.
In a statement released on the same day, TikTok expressed gratitude towards Trump and J.D. Vance, saying, “We appreciate President Trump’s leadership,” and noted that TikTok seeks to reach an agreement to “continue collaborating with Vice President Vance’s office.”
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Trump of sidestepping the law in an effort to enforce it.
With a report by Dara Kerr
Source: www.theguardian.com
