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Trump Says "A Very Rich Group" Agreed to Buy TikTok

In a recent interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump announced that he had discovered a buyer for TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company Bytedance. According to Trump, this buyer is a "very rich group of individuals" who are eager to take control of the American operation of TikTok.

The Backstory: A Ban Looms Over TikTok

Last year, politicians in the US expressed concerns that sensitive information about Americans could be transmitted to the Chinese government through TikTok. In response, Bytedance was ordered to find a new owner for its American operation or face a ban. Despite repeated extensions of the deadline, Bytedance has repeatedly denied such complaints.

The original deadline for finding a buyer was January 19, but Trump had already extended it several times. The latest extension occurred on June 19, when Trump signed another decree that postponed the deadline until September 17. This decision was made in an effort to give Bytedance more time to find a suitable buyer.

Who Might Be Behind the Bid?

Rumors have been circulating about potential buyers who might be interested in taking control of TikTok's American operation. Some of these individuals include:

* YouTube celebrity M. Beast

* US search engine startup Perplexity AI

* Kevin O'Leary, a Shark Tank investor

Bytedance has stated that it is still in talks with the American authorities, but there have been "variations on many key questions." It's believed that the Chinese government would need to approve any agreement.

The Role of China in TikTok's Future

One crucial aspect of this deal is that the Chinese government must give its approval. This raises concerns about the level of control that China might exert over TikTok's content and operations. Bytedance has repeatedly denied these allegations, but Trump's comments suggest that there may be more to the story.

Tariffs: A New Era for US Trade

In addition to the news about TikTok, Trump also discussed tariffs in his interview with Fox News. He announced that the US would impose a 90-day tariff on nations threatened with a price of more than 10% to give them time to negotiate. This move was part of an effort to correct what Trump sees as an unjust business relationship between the US and other countries.

The Impact on American Industries

Trump argued that these tariffs are necessary to make up for the lack of prosperity in certain American industries, such as automobile manufacturing. He believes that this will help to level the playing field and promote fair trade practices.

What's Next for TikTok?

With the deadline for finding a buyer now extended until September 17, it remains to be seen who will ultimately take control of TikTok's American operation. Trump has stated that he doesn't think he should postpone the deadline, but letters will be sent out soon indicating which countries would face tariffs.

Conclusion

The fate of TikTok's American operation hangs in the balance as the US government continues to negotiate with potential buyers. While Bytedance has repeatedly denied allegations of sharing sensitive information, Trump's comments suggest that there may be more to the story. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to keep a close eye on developments and how they impact the future of social media in the US.

Additional Information

• Image: The president stated that the customer’s id can be disclosed in about two weeks.

Pic: Fox News