TikTok Responds: “Grateful for Trump’s Leadership”
In a statement issued Thursday, TikTok welcomed the extension, expressing optimism about continuing to serve its 170 million American users:
“We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available,” the company said.
ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, has acknowledged ongoing negotiations and confirmed that any final deal would be “subject to approval under Chinese law.”
TikTok’s Role in US-China Tech Tensions
TikTok has become a focal point in what experts are calling a digital Cold War between the U.S. and China.
“TikTok has become a symbol of the US-China tech rivalry; a flashpoint in the new Cold War for digital control,” said Shweta Singh, a professor at Warwick Business School.
The U.S. government has cited national security concerns, alleging TikTok’s data could be accessed by the Chinese government — a claim TikTok has denied.
Potential Buyers and Business Implications
Several possible outcomes are reportedly being considered:
- Existing U.S. investors in ByteDance may roll their shares into a new independent TikTok entity.
- Oracle and Blackstone are expected to participate in a new ownership structure.
- Oracle already stores TikTok’s U.S. data, and founder Larry Ellison is a known Trump ally.
Still, the fate of TikTok’s core algorithm — the powerful AI that personalizes content — remains uncertain.
