TikTok angles for compromise to avert U.S. sell-or-ban ultimatum

Beijing could OK American investors taking a stake but algorithm remains key issue

TikTok is keen to keep operating in the U.S. but does not want to give up control of its algorithms. © AP

YIFAN YU and CISSY ZHOU

February 26, 2025 12:00 JST

PALO ALTO, California/HONG KONG -- TikTok is attempting to hammer out a deal with the Trump administration that would resolve the sale-or-ban order while leaving control of the platform in the hands of Chinese parent company ByteDance, according to people familiar with the matter.

TikTok and ByteDance are still opposed to a sale and are in talks with the Trump administration on a deal that would allow U.S. backers to own a larger share of the company, one person said. The talks are being spearheaded by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and national security advisor Mike Waltz, the person added.