TikTok Threatened To Be Blocked In The US If China Disagrees With Sales, Trade Minister Lutnick Says

United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick (photo: x @howardlutnick)

JAKARTA The United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, stated that the short video application TikTok would stop operating in the United States if the Chinese government did not approve the sales deal being negotiated.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is currently used by around 170 million Americans.

In an interview on CNBC on Thursday, July 24, Lutnick confirmed that the United States must have complete control over the technology and algorithms that are at the heart of the social media platform.

China may have a small part, or ByteDance as the current owner can still have a small part. But basically, Americans will control the technology and algorithms," said Lutnick.

If the agreement is approved by the Chinese side, the transaction will take place. But if it is not approved, then TikTok will be "dark" inaccessible in the United States. This decision will be taken soon," added Lutnick.

TikTok has yet to provide official comments regarding the statement.

US President Donald Trump has previously extended a deadline of 90 days to 17 September 2025 for ByteDance to relinquish ownership of TikTok's assets in the US. This extension was carried out despite the 2024 law setting deadlines until 19 January 2025 for sales or operational closures of TikTok in the US, if no significant progress in the divestment process.

In the spring of this year, a deal was designed that would separate TikTok operations in the US from becoming a new American-based company and the majority owned by US investors. However, the plan stalled after China indicated refusal, following President Trump's announcement of high tariffs on imported goods from China.

This situation adds to tensions in trade and technology relations between the two countries, and the future of TikTok in the United States is now on the brink, awaiting a decision from Beijing.