Trump Restores US TikTok Service, Proposes 50% American Ownership of the Short Video Platform

US TikTok service has been restored after 12 hours of shutdown. Reuters reported that the restoration of the short-video app came shortly after incoming President Donald Trump said he’ll revive the app. Apple and Google had already removed TikTok from their stores.

“Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!,” TikTok’s welcome notification to users read.

Joint Venture

While committing to delay the US TikTok ban through an executive order, Trump said that America will be pursuing a joint venture to continue making the video streaming app accessible to over 170 million US TikTok users. The app had been inaccessible to US users since late Saturday evening.

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” A section of TikTok’s message read.

TikTok returned within hours of Trump’s announcement with millions of US users welcoming the news. Most users use the video-streaming app everyday to find entertainment, news, and communities, and earn a living. Trump said he would be extending the duration before the divest-or-ban law can take effect. He said the extension will enable his administration to strike a deal that protects US national security.

“I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said that the executive order extending the divest-or-ban law will place no liability on the company that enabled the social media app from going off before his order.

Political Victory

By reviving TikTok, Trump may well be on the way to scoring political victory by attributing continued usage of the popular social platform to himself. On Sunday, TikTok said that his promise made it possible for the platform to restore TikTok US service even before the executive order is signed.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” TikTok said in a statement.

Trump had met TikTok CEO last December, after which he said he could keep TikTok running in the US a little longer. TikTok’s appreciation of the incoming President, just a day before his inauguration, comes at a time when tensions between the US and China remain high.
Trump has expressed commitment to increase tariffs on China. He has also indicated willingness to meet the Chinese leader. When asked about Trump’s readiness to strike a deal on TikTok ownership, the Chinese foreign ministry held that companies should be allowed the leeway to divide on their deals and operations independently.

“TikTok has operated in the U.S. for many years and is deeply loved by American users. We hope that the US can earnestly listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for firms operating there,” Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said.

The Challenge Ahead

Trump’s executive order may not resolve the TikTok ban issue in its entirety. The order will likely experience challenges from members of Trump’s party who are opposed to extension of the ban.

“We commend Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft for following the law and halting operations with ByteDance and TikTok, and we encourage other companies to do the same. The law, after all, risks ruinous bankruptcy for any company who violates it. Now that the law has taken effect, there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of its effective date,” Republican Senators Pete Ricketts – Nebraska and Tom Cotton – Arkansas said in a statement.

The two Senators claimed that TikTok should only resume usage in the US by cutting all ties with China to ensure that Americans are fully protected from the privacy and security threats it poses.