Trump Confirms Buyer Found for TikTok, Warns China’s Approval Still Needed

Trump announces TikTok sale

China’s approval is crucial

Deadline set for September 17

According to the EFE news agency, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a buyer has been found for TikTok, the popular short-video app at the center of ongoing geopolitical tensions with China.

Speaking confidently on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said, “We have a buyer for TikTok,” though he emphasized that the deal “will probably require China’s approval” before it can be finalized.

The Republican president declined to name the interested company but described it as “a very wealthy, major tech company,” promising a formal announcement within two weeks.

This development marks another chapter in the long-running battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S., fueled by deepening mistrust of ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company.

Law Mandated Sale Before January

Trump Confirms Buyer Found for TikTok – PHOTO: Shutterstock

It’s worth recalling that during Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. operations before January 20—the day Trump returned to the presidency.

The legislation was driven by concerns over the security of millions of users’ data, banning apps with access to sensitive information from remaining under the control of companies based in nations deemed U.S. “adversaries.”

When no sale was completed by the deadline, TikTok was forced to temporarily suspend operations in the U.S., alarming users and damaging its public image.

To prevent a chaotic shutdown, Trump signed an executive order on January 20 granting an initial 75-day extension to find a buyer willing to take over TikTok’s U.S. business.

Trump Grants Extensions for TikTok Sale

TikTok Sale – Trump Seeks Buyer PHOTO: Shutterstock

That first extension was seen as a political move to avoid backlash from his younger voter base, among whom the app is hugely popular.

Subsequently, on April 4, Trump granted another 75-day extension, setting a new deadline for June 19. But as that date approached, he decided to extend the period by an additional 90 days.

Thus, the new final deadline is set for September 17, by which time the sale must be completed to a company from a country regarded by Washington as an “ally” or otherwise secure.

In his latest remarks, Trump insisted that the purchase by the U.S. firm is virtually assured but warned that approval from Chinese authorities could prove a significant hurdle.

Tech Rivalry Between Washington and Beijing

TikTok Sale – Trump Seeks Buyer PHOTO: Shutterstock

This requirement highlights the complexity of the deal, as ByteDance would have to agree to the sale terms and obtain official approval from Beijing to part ways with its most prominent international subsidiary.

Trump has openly acknowledged his political connection to the platform, frequently admitting he has “a soft spot” for TikTok and noting that its popularity among young voters was key to his electoral victory last November.

That connection with younger demographics explains much of his determination to ensure TikTok remains operational in the U.S.—but under conditions that better safeguard user data.

Analysts believe Trump’s announcement is intended to send a signal of confidence to the market and reassure millions of app users that the White House is working to avoid a permanent shutdown.