{"id":105433,"date":"2025-07-28T11:27:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T10:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=105433"},"modified":"2025-07-28T11:27:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T10:27:51","slug":"tiktok-china-approval-us-ban-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/tiktok-china-approval-us-ban-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"TikTok could “go dark” in the US, warns Trump’s Commerce Secretary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If a deal isn’t approved by the Chinese government soon, TikTok’s time in the US could finally be up.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By now, we don’t even need to say TikTok’s position in the US is uncertain – that’s a given. But, that unpredictability has recently been ramped up a notch, following a statement from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The app could be removed from American phones if a deal isn\u2019t finalised soon – and if the Chinese government blocks the sale, TikTok could \u201cgo dark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A law passed by US Congress<\/a> in 2024 states that ByteDance must divest TikTok\u2019s US operations due to concerns over national security. Lawmakers fear that the Chinese government could access American user data through ByteDance. The sale was originally meant to happen by January 2025, but former President Donald Trump, now back in office, has postponed the deadline several times. The latest cut-off date is now 17th of September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Complete Music Update<\/a> reports, Lutnick made the US government\u2019s stance clear during an interview with CNBC. \u201cWe\u2019ve made the decision. You can\u2019t have Chinese control and have something on 100 million American phones,\u201d he said. He explained that ByteDance may \u201ckeep a little piece,\u201d but \u201cAmericans will have control,\u201d adding, \u201cAmericans will own the technology and Americans will control the algorithm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talks are ongoing between ByteDance and a group of “very wealthy” American investors, with Vice President JD Vance helping lead the negotiations. Trump recently said<\/a> that a deal is close. However, any transaction will still need approval from the Chinese government – and that is where the biggest uncertainty lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that deal gets approved by the Chinese, then that deal will happen,\u201d Lutnick stated. \u201cIf they don\u2019t approve it, then TikTok is going to go dark, and those decisions are coming very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTok has become a major platform for music discovery and social engagement, so the outcome of this situation could have a big impact on creators and fans. Although Trump has delayed the ban multiple times, Lutnick\u2019s comments suggest the US government now sees this deadline as final. But, you know, who knows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether TikTok continues to operate in the US after September may depend entirely on whether China gives the green light to the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Distribute your music to all major streaming platforms around the world for FREE. Sign up today to get started.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If a deal isn’t approved by the Chinese government soon, TikTok’s time in the US could finally be up. By now, we don’t even need to say TikTok’s position in the US is uncertain – that’s a given. But, that unpredictability has recently been ramped up a notch, following a statement from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The app could be removed from American phones if a deal isn\u2019t finalised soon – and if the Chinese government blocks the sale, TikTok could \u201cgo dark.\u201d A law passed by US Congress in 2024 states that ByteDance must divest TikTok\u2019s US operations due…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":104293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30243],"tags":[10264],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTikTok could "go dark" in the US, warns Trump's Commerce Secretary - RouteNote Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"TikTok could "go dark" in the US if China doesn't give the green light to a deal soon. 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