Tiktok will be darkened in the US if China has no sale before Trump: Lutnik

Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that Tiktok will have to stop functioning in the United States if China does not approve a short -owned video -owned video applied apprees used by about 170 million Americans.

Lutnick, speaking at CNBC, also said the US should control the algorithm that makes the social media platform work.

Last month, President Trump lasted 90 days until September 17, a time limit for China -based bydance to divert American TIKTOK assets. Trump’s action took place despite a 2024 law that mandated a sale or closure until January 19 this year if there were no significant progress.

“China may have a small part or bytangance, the current owner, can hold a small part. But in essence, Americans will have control. Americans will own technology, and Americans will control the algorithm,” Lutnick said.

“If this agreement is approved, by the Chinese, then this agreement will happen. If they do not approve it, then Tiktok will be darkened, and those decisions are coming soon.”

Tiktok did not comment immediately.

An agreement had been in the works this spring that would distribute US operations to Tiktok to a new firm owned by the US majority and operated by US investors. This is stuck after China showed that it would not approve it after Trump’s announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods.

Trump has given three times a reprint by federal law enforcement that mandated the sale or closure of Tiktok that had to enter into force in January.

Prosecutor General Pam Bondi sent letters to Apple, Google and other companies providing services or organizing the TIKTOK app they made public this month.

The letters said the Department of Justice was renouncing the dissatisfaction of any claims against companies for possible violations of the law, citing Trump’s determination that a sudden closure would interfere with his national security and external affairs.

Some Democratic lawmakers argue that Trump has no legal authority to extend the deadline and suggest that the agreement under consideration will not meet the legal requirements.