Trump, Who Promised To Save TikTok, Threatens To Shut Down TikTok

Donald Trump previously vowed to save TikTok in the US, tasking JD Vance with brokering a deal. Negotiations have stalled as China hasn't approved a sale despite US national security concerns. Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed TikTok could be shut down if China and ByteDance don't agree to a US-controlled deal. The proposed deal allows ByteDance to retain a small stake, but US entities would control the technology and algorithm. ByteDance believes US security concerns can be addressed without a sale, perhaps through local control changes. The US insists on controlling TikTok's recommendation algorithm, considered its core intellectual property. Trump expressed doubt about China's approval, even though he considered the deal favorable for China. Analysts suggest China sees TikTok as leverage in trade negotiations with the US. A 90-day truce exists between the US and China, expiring shortly before Trump's mid-September TikTok sale deadline.