President Donald Trump has indicated that a deal for ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, may be completed before the Apr. 5, deadline.

The deadline, set by a 2024 law, requires TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer due to national security concerns. US officials worry that ByteDance’s ownership could allow the Chinese government to access data on American users and conduct influence operations.

Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying, “We have a lot of potential buyers,” and hopes TikTok will continue operating.

Private equity firm Blackstone and ByteDance’s non-Chinese stakeholders, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, are reportedly leading the bid for TikTok’s US operations.

Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the deal must be finalized by Apr. 5, with the White House showing flexibility, including possible tariff reductions to support the agreement.

Recent TikTok developments