Saturday, March 29, 2025
Washington, Sept 26, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the long-discussed TikTok agreement on Thursday, officially signing an executive order worth $14 million that transfers control of the popular app to American investors.
Under the new agreement, 80% of TikTok’s shares will now be held by U.S. investors, though the Chinese parent company ByteDance will retain ownership stakes. Major American firms, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and investors like Larry Ellison, will manage the U.S. operations of the app. ByteDance will keep just one representative on the management team overseeing the American version of TikTok.
Trump announced the deal at the White House, calling it “exciting” and describing it as the result of his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We have good relations with President Xi. He gave the green light for TikTok, and now the app will be run by American investors. This is for our youth, who wanted it,” Trump said.
Labeling the move as a direct response to public demand, Trump said:
“Our young people wanted this deal, and by finalizing it, we are giving them a gift.”
The U.S.-controlled TikTok version will operate under American rules, with the flexibility to set its own standards, security measures, and modifications.
TikTok has long faced scrutiny over allegations of data privacy violations and claims that it negatively influences young users. These concerns led India to ban the app, and the U.S. had also threatened similar action. By shifting majority control to American investors, Trump’s administration hopes to address those concerns while keeping the platform active for millions of U.S. users.
The agreement marks a significant turning point in U.S.-China tech relations. While ByteDance retains a presence, the move effectively shifts TikTok’s U.S. operations into American hands, limiting China’s control. Analysts say the deal could set a precedent for how future disputes over foreign-owned apps are resolved.
