Washington, D.C. – Vice President JD Vance expressed confidence on Friday that a deal to keep TikTok operational in the United States could be finalized by the early April deadline. Speaking to NBC News aboard Air Force Two, Vance said, “There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I think satisfies our national security concerns, allows there to be a distinct American TikTok enterprise.” His remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the popular video-sharing app, which has been under scrutiny due to its ties to China-based parent company ByteDance.
The saga began when a bipartisan law, signed by then-President Joe Biden, took effect on January 19, mandating ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok operations or face a nationwide ban. Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump issued an executive order delaying enforcement of the ban by 75 days, pushing the deadline to April 5. This reprieve has kept TikTok alive in the U.S., but its fate hinges on finding an American buyer—a task Trump has entrusted to Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
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On Sunday, Trump hinted at progress, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that his administration is negotiating with “four different groups” and that a deal could materialize soon. However, neither TikTok nor ByteDance has publicly confirmed these talks or signaled a willingness to sell. Last year, ByteDance firmly stated it had no plans to divest, a stance that led to a legal challenge against the federal law. The Supreme Court rejected this appeal in January, upholding the divestiture requirement.
While Vance refrained from naming potential buyers, he acknowledged logistical hurdles that could delay the deal past April 5. “We’d like to get it done without the extension,” he told NBC News, citing the complexity of drafting “thousands and thousands of pages of legal documents” to define equity ownership and contracts for investors, customers, and service providers. “The deal itself will be very clear, but that’s the one thing that I worry could slip,” he added.
Trump has floated the idea of a joint venture with a 50% U.S. stake, though details remain scarce. He has also indicated openness to extending the deadline if necessary, keeping options fluid as negotiations unfold. For now, the clock is ticking, and all eyes are on Vance to broker a resolution that balances national security with TikTok’s 170 million American users’ interests.
Key Points: Vice President Vance on TikTok Deal
- Optimism for a Deal: Vice President JD Vance is hopeful that a deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S. will be finalized by the April 5 deadline, ensuring it addresses national security concerns while creating a distinct American TikTok entity.
- Legal Background: A law effective January 19 requires ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. President Trump delayed enforcement by 75 days via an executive order, setting the current deadline.
- Negotiation Efforts: Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz are leading talks to find an approved U.S. buyer. Trump confirmed discussions with “four different groups” are underway, hinting at an imminent agreement.
- ByteDance’s Stance: TikTok and ByteDance have not commented on the talks. ByteDance previously opposed selling, launching an unsuccessful Supreme Court challenge against the divestiture law in January.
- Potential Delays: Vance noted that while the deal’s framework may be clear, finalizing extensive legal documents (e.g., equity ownership, contracts) could push the timeline past April 5, though he prefers to avoid an extension.
- Proposed Terms: Trump has suggested a joint venture with a 50% U.S. stake and indicated flexibility to extend the deadline if needed, though specifics remain undisclosed.
