With the April 5 deadline for TikTok’s sale drawing near, former U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear again that a deal with the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, is on the table. Talking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said, “There’s a lot of interest in TikTok. We have a lot buyers have potential, and I hope that we are all hope TikTok is alive.”
The Trump’s administration has said that ByteDance must sell TikTok’s US operations or face a ban as a result of national security concerns. The ex-president has indicated that China’s consent will be key to any final package and may suggest that he be willing to cut tariffs on Chinese goods in order to make negotiations easier. “Maybe I’ll allow them to have a little decrease in tariffs or something to get it completed,” he stated.
The White House is also a key player in negotiations with the major US investor wanting to buy TikTok’s operations. Trump’s executive order in the beginning of this year delayed the enforcement until April 5, but he has indicated a willingness to extend the deadline yet again if required. 
With TikTok at the center of the U.S.-China standoff, the next few days will be the critical ones for the app that hosts 170 million-plus Americans. ByteDance and TikTok have not commented on the talks in progress.
