The current controversy surrounding TikTok seems to be far from resolved. TikTok is still owned by ByteDance and has not yet been turned over to the American side, despite reports that the parties have achieved some initial agreements over the platform's future.
Donald Trump has frequently delayed the TikTok deadline since he took office in an effort to speed up the platform's ownership transfer to a US-based business. The US government gave ByteDance a new 90-day deadline last month to provide clarification on TikTok's ownership status. Whether ByteDance will be able to properly transfer ownership to an American organization during this time frame is still up in the air.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recently told Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday that President Trump enjoys TikTok. However, in the end, ownership of the platform needs to be passed to an American business.
"You know, that was a terrific method to communicate with young people, so the President really likes TikTok," Lutnick stated again.
"But let's face it, it is simply unacceptable to have a Chinese app on 100 million American phones," the Secretary of Commerce continued. Therefore, it must transition to American ownership, American technology, and American algorithms.
The President is "positive" about TikTok if it "can go into American hands," according to Howard Lutnick.
Officials from the US government have frequently voiced hope that TikTok's ownership will be transferred and that the platform will continue to function in the US. President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated last month.
The Chinese government must authorize any arrangement pertaining to TikTok's ownership transfer. The sale of TikTok seems to have been hindered by current trade conflicts over tariffs between the US and China. Trump had earlier said he would lower tariffs if China agreed to sell TikTok.