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Beijing Stays Quiet Amid TikTok Ownership Turmoil

China’s government offered no new clarity on Monday regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that a deal to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership is nearly finalized. Despite mounting pressure and a fast-approaching September 17 deadline for divestiture, Beijing has yet to signal approval or disapproval of any potential sale.

At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated a previously stated position: “China has made its stance on TikTok clear on multiple occasions.” She stopped short of confirming or denying whether China is engaged in talks or planning to approve a sale of TikTok’s U.S. arm.

The U.S. Ultimatum: Sell or Face a Ban

TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance is required to divest its U.S. operations under a law signed last year by President Joe Biden. The legislation demands that by September 17, 2025, TikTok must either be sold to a U.S.-approved buyer or face an outright ban in the United States due to national security risks related to user data and the app’s algorithm.

Although the original compliance deadline was January 2025, Trump — who has reemerged as a leading figure in U.S. trade and tech policy — delayed enforcement. Still, pressure is mounting, and TikTok’s U.S. user base, which exceeds 170 million monthly active users, is caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical tensions.

Trump Claims Deal Is Ready — But Will China Approve?

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump declared, “We pretty much have a deal on TikTok.” He added that discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping or his representatives could begin as early as this week. However, he admitted uncertainty about China’s willingness to approve: “I’m not confident they’ll okay it.”

Back in late June, Trump teased that a buyer had been lined up, describing them only as “a group of very wealthy people,” while suggesting a formal announcement was imminent.

Still, there’s no official word from Beijing. In early 2023, China’s Commerce Ministry made it clear that any forced sale would involve the export of core technologies, including TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm — a move that requires government approval under Chinese law.

National Security, Data, and the Algorithm Dilemma

The heart of the standoff is TikTok’s algorithm — the proprietary system that curates content and drives user engagement. U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials say this algorithm, along with data-sharing capabilities, poses a risk if controlled by a foreign adversary.

To address these concerns, the current U.S. law mandates that ByteDance retain no more than 20% ownership of TikTok U.S., and that the company have no coordination on data handling or algorithmic oversight.

Yet, experts remain skeptical. Alex Capri, senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, told CNN, “Beijing will not likely approve export licenses for the algorithms, especially amid worsening U.S.-China relations and tech export restrictions.”

A Workaround: TikTok’s U.S.-Only App?

On Sunday, The Information reported that TikTok is preparing to launch a new version of its app tailored specifically for the U.S. market. The strategy involves releasing this standalone app ahead of the September deadline. Users would need to migrate to the new app to continue access, while the original version would be phased out by March 2026.

This workaround hints at ByteDance’s efforts to preserve access to the massive American market — even as political and legal challenges threaten its presence.

Trade Tensions Cloud TikTok Talks

The broader context complicates any deal. On April 2, Trump imposed sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs on Chinese imports, raising overall duties to 54%, according to U.S. Trade Representative data. These tariffs reportedly caused Beijing to withdraw from ongoing TikTok sale discussions, CNN previously reported.

China’s response to the rising tariff pressure has been to reassert its demand for fair and transparent business conditions. Its officials have repeatedly called on Washington to end discriminatory policies against Chinese companies.

What Comes Next?

Whether or not Trump’s claimed deal moves forward will depend heavily on China’s next move. Without Beijing’s approval — particularly of the transfer of core technologies — the sale may be stalled indefinitely. Simultaneously, the U.S. deadline looms, with millions of users and content creators potentially affected.

The coming weeks are critical as U.S.-China relations evolve in real time. Investors, tech executives, and global policymakers will be watching closely for the next signal from either side.

For now, uncertainty reigns — and the TikTok saga remains a defining test case in the global struggle over data, influence, and digital sovereignty.