The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, provided an in-depth overview on Saturday regarding a potential TikTok deal between the United States and China. This agreement aims to allow the popular social media app to continue operating on American devices while addressing national security concerns. During her appearance on the Fox News program “Saturday in America,” Leavitt emphasized that the software giant Oracle would take charge of data management and privacy for the new American version of TikTok.
Ms. Leavitt outlined that a newly established board for the company would consist of a majority of American directors, reinforcing a commitment to American oversight. She confidently stated, “we are 100 percent confident that a deal is done,” although she clarified that the agreement has not yet been officially signed. Leavitt expressed optimism that this signing could occur within the upcoming days.
Both the Trump administration and Chinese officials have issued ambiguous statements over the past week concerning the status of a deal that aims to secure TikTok's future in the U.S. The app is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, and last year, Congress passed a rare bipartisan law mandating a ban on the app unless a new, non-Chinese owner was established. This legislation arose from concerns that Beijing could exploit its connection to TikTok to access sensitive user data or disseminate propaganda within the United States.
President Trump recently informed reporters that Xi Jinping, China's top leader, had given his endorsement for the deal. In response, a spokesman for China’s ministry of commerce confirmed on Saturday that both parties had reached a basic framework agreement. Leavitt's comments suggest that the arrangement is similar to what ByteDance has been pursuing for several months, which involves creating a new American TikTok entity.
Under this proposed plan, some of TikTok’s largest investors would retain their stakes in the American version of the app. Additionally, ByteDance intends to attract new U.S. investors to ensure that Chinese ownership is reduced to below 20 percent, thereby complying with the law. Leavitt detailed that the new board, which will oversee TikTok operations in the United States, will consist of seven members, with six seats allocated to American directors. Furthermore, she confirmed that Oracle, already a provider of computing resources for TikTok, will lead the initiatives concerning data and privacy for the new entity.
As discussions continue, the outcome of this deal remains pivotal for TikTok users in America, as well as for the broader implications regarding U.S.-China relations in the tech industry. The finalization of this agreement could mark a significant shift in how foreign-owned apps operate within the United States, ensuring compliance with national security concerns while maintaining user access to popular platforms.
