US IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH FOUR GROUPS REGARDING TIKTOK SALE - TRUMP

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President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the United States was in negotiations with four parties interested in purchasing TikTok, a Chinese-owned app whose future in the US is questionable.

In order to avoid being outlawed in the US, TikTok is required by law to separate from its Chinese owner, ByteDance.

When reporters asked Trump on Sunday if a deal on TikTok was imminent, he replied, “It could be.”

“We’re dealing with four different groups. And a lot of people want it, and it’s up to me,” he said aboard Air Force One.

“All four are good,” he added, without naming them.

TikTok was banned on January 19 due to worries that the Chinese government would use the video-sharing app to secretly sway US public opinion or spy on Americans.

As the law’s deadline drew near, millions of users were disappointed when TikTok abruptly shut down in the US and vanished from app stores.

After starting his second term in January, Trump sought a settlement with Beijing and halted its execution for two and a half months.

In February, TikTok made a comeback to the Apple and Google app stores after restoring service in the US.

A program named “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” started by sports and real estate magnate Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, is one option for prospective TikTok buyers.

Oracle, Microsoft, and a group that includes online celebrity MrBeast—real name Jimmy Donaldson—are also in the race.

TikTok doesn’t seem particularly motivated to sell the app.

During his first term in the White House, Trump tried to ban TikTok in the US on national security grounds.