The Chinese government appears to be deliberately slowing down ByteDance's efforts to sell TikTok to American buyers, using the situation as leverage in broader trade negotiations with the United States.

ByteDance is currently awaiting Beijing's approval to proceed with any potential sale, which was mandated by President Trump's 75-day deadline. However, sources familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that Chinese officials are reluctant to approve the sale without securing significant trade concessions from the U.S.

Photo Credit: Engin Akyurt

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is reportedly considering letting TikTok's U.S. operations cease rather than approving a rushed sale. Beijing's demands include reduced tariffs and concessions on technology policy, particularly regarding semiconductor chips.

This standoff occurs amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations. While Trump recently promised voters he would "save TikTok" by suspending enforcement of a ban, Chinese officials remain skeptical of delivering a victory to Trump without substantial returns. As one source stated, "It's not like [the CCP] would never do it, but they need a lot in return. They are willing to pull the plug."

The situation has created uncertainty for potential American buyers, despite significant interest in acquiring the popular social media platform. Multiple parties are preparing acquisition offers, though no clear frontrunner has emerged.

The deadlock reflects broader U.S.-China trade disputes, with China recently implementing export restrictions on minerals and launching an antitrust investigation into Google. They have also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding U.S. tariffs, indicating their willingness to use TikTok as a bargaining chip in larger trade negotiations.

Related Articles

Previous Articles