**The Uncertain Future of TikTok in the U.S. as Negotiations Stall**
Former President Donald Trump previously asserted he would stop the widely-used social media platform TikTok from being prohibited in the U.S. While that scenario is still on the table, talks between the U.S. government and TikTok’s parent firm, the China-based ByteDance, have reportedly reached an impasse.
A recent *Washington Post* article indicates that sources informed about the discussions believe the Chinese government may allow the agreement to fall apart unless it secures “greater concessions” from the Trump administration regarding other matters, including trade policies. Since ByteDance must obtain approval from China’s government prior to completing any sale, Trump’s recent tariffs have only exacerbated the situation.
### A Background of TikTok’s U.S. Ban Attempts
Throughout his initial term, Trump sought to prohibit TikTok in the U.S., referencing national security worries. However, he exited office without executing the ban. Later, Congress intervened, enacting legislation that then-President Joe Biden approved. This law mandated ByteDance to sell TikTok within 90 days or risk a ban, which would restrict U.S. users from downloading or updating the app.
That deadline coincided with Trump’s inauguration weekend last month. In reaction, TikTok temporarily barred U.S. users from using the platform. Nonetheless, after conversations with Trump—who portrayed himself as “rescuing TikTok”—access to the app was swiftly restored. A pop-up notification even expressed gratitude to Trump by name upon users’ return. TikTok further showcased goodwill by organizing an inauguration celebration for Trump, with CEO Shou Chew personally attending the event.
### ByteDance Still Needed to Divest
Even with TikTok’s temporary respite, ByteDance continues to face pressure to divest the platform. Trump has engaged in discussions with potential U.S. buyers and has even proposed that the U.S. government might acquire a stake in the company.
Currently, TikTok is still functioning in the U.S., but major app stores like Apple and Google risk fines if they list the app. Although Trump has claimed that ByteDance’s deadline to sell has been prolonged, TikTok remains inaccessible on major mobile app platforms in the U.S.
### China’s Influence on the Negotiation
As per analysts quoted by the *Washington Post*, ByteDance is not rushing to sell, as the company earns billions in revenue. For China, TikTok’s exclusive algorithm and intellectual property could hold more significance than the potential sale price. One possible scenario is that China might approve the sale of TikTok’s app while retaining control over the recommendation algorithm that underpins the platform.
### What Lies Ahead for TikTok?
The future of TikTok in the U.S. is still unclear. Will Trump make concessions to advance the negotiations? Will China authorize a sale? Or will TikTok encounter another prohibition? Presently, discussions remain stagnant, and the countdown is underway toward another possible ban deadline.