Yahoo Finance Trump 'backs' Microsoft buyout of TikTok after threat to ban Chinese video app
The Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok could be sold to Microsoft after an apparent change of mind by US President Donald Trump.
On Friday, Mr Trump said he intended to ban TikTok from the US because of concerns about the data of American users and he appeared to dismiss the idea of a takeover by a US company.
America has repeatedly warned of a security threat from Beijing and accused it of billions of dollars' worth of intellectual property theft. China has denied the claims.
But following a discussion between Mr Trump and Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella on Sunday, the tech giant said it had been given the go ahead to negotiate a complete buyout with TikTok's parent company ByteDance with discussions completed "no later than 15 September".
Mr Trump said on Monday that the US government should get a "substantial portion" of the sales price and warned he will ban the service in the US on 15 September without a sale.
"I did say that if you buy it, whatever the price is that goes to whoever owns it, because I guess it's China essentially … I said a very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States because we're making it possible for this deal to happen," he said.
The negotiations will be overseen by the US committee on foreign investment, a government panel that has the right to block any agreement, according to sources.
In a statement Microsoft said: "Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the president's concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury."
Under the proposed deal, Microsoft said it would take over TikTok's operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The company said it would "ensure that all private data of TikTok's American users is transferred to and remains in the United States".
It added: "To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred."
Microsoft said it may invite other American investors to acquire minority stakes in TikTok.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously described Chinese state-backed tech companies as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence".
American military personnel have also been discouraged from using Chinese technology because of security fears, while Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden reportedly told staff not to use TikTok.
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After Mr Trump's ban threat last week, a TikTok spokesperson said: "These are the facts: 100 million Americans come to TikTok for entertainment and connection, especially during the pandemic.
"We've hired nearly 1,000 people to our US team this year alone, and are proud to be hiring another 10,000 employees into great paying jobs across the US.
"Our $1bn creator fund supports US creators who are building livelihoods from our platform. TikTok US user data is stored in the US, with strict controls on employee access. TikTok's biggest investors come from the US.
"We are committed to protecting our users' privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform."
