President Trump’s tariffs killed his plan to save TikTok from ban | The Verge

The Collapse of the TikTok Deal

Despite numerous bids, only an Oracle-led consortium was seriously considered by the White House to acquire TikTok's US operations. This plan involved licensing the app's algorithm and restructuring ownership to appear more independent from ByteDance.

Trump's Tariffs and Chinese Approval

President Trump's imposition of tariffs on China effectively scuttled the deal. The Chinese government, previously suggesting approval in exchange for tariff relief, became less likely to approve the deal following the tariff announcement. This is despite a 75-day delay on the TikTok ban.

Consequences and Uncertainty

The situation leaves TikTok's future uncertain. While a ban is delayed, the lack of tariff relief could ultimately lead to a ban. This also places TikTok's US hosting providers in a legal grey area.

• Trump's actions seemingly undermined a plan that would have kept TikTok operational.
• The deal involved a complex restructuring of ownership and licensing.
• Chinese government approval hinges heavily on US tariff policies.
• The delay creates legal uncertainty for all parties involved.