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TikTok, the wildly popular Chinese-owned social media platform, is once again available for download on the Apple and Google app stores in the United States. This comes after a temporary disappearance from the stores in the previous month, raising concerns over a looming ban. President Donald Trump decided to delay enforcing the ban, giving TikTok until April 5 to comply with U.S. laws requiring its sale to an American company. With more than 170 million American users, TikTok’s return is significant both politically and economically.

TikTok’s brief absence from the US app stores raised questions about the app’s future in the country. The U.S. government had imposed a deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to either sell the U.S. version of the app to a neutral third party or face an outright ban. Trump’s executive order, which had originally set the deadline for September 2020, had pushed the deadline several times. Recently, Trump granted TikTok an additional 75 days to reach a resolution, pushing the deadline to April 5.

Legal and Political Developments Surrounding TikTok’s US Operations

Bloomberg reported TikTok’s return to app stores, noting that Apple and Google were assured they would not face legal repercussions for allowing downloads of the app. Despite the return of TikTok, the ban remains in place, only temporarily unenforced. This ongoing legal tug-of-war highlights the growing tension between the US government and Chinese-owned companies, especially in the tech and social media sectors.

The U.S. Congress passed the law mandating TikTok’s sale with bipartisan support. Former President Joe Biden signed the law, citing concerns over national security. The legislation stipulates that ByteDance must sell the U.S. version of TikTok to a neutral third party or face a permanent ban. The Biden administration, following in the footsteps of the Trump administration, has raised alarms over the potential for the Chinese government to exert influence on TikTok’s operations. Concerns about espionage, surveillance, and political manipulation have been at the forefront of these discussions.

However, both China and TikTok have consistently denied these allegations. Beijing has refused to approve a sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, making it a complicated issue to resolve. Even the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law mandating TikTok’s sale, signaling the severity of the political tension surrounding the app.

Shifting Political Stances and Negotiation Talks

The situation surrounding TikTok has also revealed shifting political stances, particularly with former President Donald Trump. Initially, Trump was a strong advocate for banning TikTok, believing that the app posed a national security threat. However, in the months following his first term, Trump softened his position. He even praised the app for its popularity, noting the vast number of views his campaign videos garnered on the platform.

In an interesting twist, when TikTok resumed its service in the U.S., it sent out a pop-up message thanking Trump by name. This unexpected gesture stirred conversations about the future of TikTok and its relationship with the U.S. government. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his electoral victory, and later attended his inauguration, signaling a more amicable relationship between TikTok and Trump’s administration.

Trump now appears to be pursuing a potential compromise with ByteDance, suggesting a joint ownership arrangement. Under this proposal, an American company would purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations and split ownership with the U.S. government. This idea would allow the app to continue operating in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns over foreign influence.

Potential Buyers of TikTok’s US Operations

As part of this ongoing negotiation, several high-profile American figures have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok’s U.S. operations. Among the potential buyers are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom have shown interest in the app. Ellison, who has long been a supporter of Trump, has the financial clout and technical expertise to make a potential acquisition work. Musk, who leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, has also shown interest, creating speculation about his role in TikTok’s future.

Other notable figures have also expressed interest in acquiring the app, including billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, and social media star Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast. Donaldson, who has a massive following on platforms like YouTube, could potentially bring significant attention and a fresh approach to TikTok in the U.S. He was publicly vocal about his interest in investing in TikTok, which sparked further discussions about the future of the platform in the U.S.

Despite the interest from these high-profile figures, negotiations have been slow, with the Chinese government continuing to resist the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations. The lack of agreement has resulted in an uncertain future for the platform in the U.S., with the April 5 deadline looming large.

What’s Next for TikTok in the US?

As TikTok remains accessible on app stores for now, the clock is ticking for ByteDance to comply with U.S. law. The app’s return marks a temporary reprieve, but with the April 5 deadline approaching, it’s unclear whether a sale will be completed by then. The U.S. government’s demands for national security safeguards have created a complex negotiation process that involves both legal and political challenges.

If ByteDance fails to reach a deal, TikTok’s future in the U.S. could be in jeopardy. A ban could impact millions of American users, and potentially harm businesses and influencers who rely on the platform for content creation and marketing. It could also set a precedent for other foreign-owned tech companies operating in the U.S., potentially altering the landscape of global digital commerce.

For now, all eyes remain on the negotiations, and it’s unclear whether a compromise will be reached. As the deadline approaches, many will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.

Stay updated on the latest developments in TikTok’s journey and other global business news at Financial Mirror.