The Trump administration has announced that it has reached an agreement with China to sell TikTok to U.S. investors. However, while this development has received some backing from Chinese sources, the full details of the deal are still uncertain.
Sources from China have indicated that both sides have reached a “basic framework consensus.” This agreement would involve licensing TikTok’s successful algorithm and other intellectual property rights, which is a shift from previous discussions about a full sale. This suggests that while the terms are moving forward, key aspects of the agreement, such as specifics on the transfer of the app’s operations and control, remain unclear.
In addition to the bilateral agreement, the US Congress will need to approve the sale before it can proceed.
New TikTok for the US
There are reports that a U.S. version of TikTok has been in the works for some time. This version would ensure that content created by American users can be shared globally, while also allowing content from other parts of the world to be accessible to U.S. users. This approach is part of efforts to address concerns over data privacy and content moderation raised by various governments.
Who Will Buy TikTok?
While there is speculation, it remains unclear which U.S. investors or companies will ultimately purchase TikTok. Rumors from earlier this year suggested that companies such as Amazon could be among the potential buyers, but no official statements have been made.