Donald Trump vows executive order to restore TikTok, as Vance meets China’s Han
Video app restores service in US after incoming president calls for a resolution that would put 50 per cent of ownership in US hands
US president-elect Donald Trump has revealed that he plans to temporarily block a nationwide ban on TikTok, hours after the short-video app went dark to comply with a federal law meant to force it to sever ties with Chinese parent ByteDance.
TikTok is back online, resuming service following Trump’s announcement on Sunday – just a day ahead of his inauguration in Washington – that he will issue an executive order protecting companies from any liability if they host or distribute TikTok.
Such activity became illegal earlier on Sunday when the divest-or-ban law came into effect.
The incoming president also called for a final resolution that would put 50 per cent of ownership of TikTok in US hands.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,” Trump posted on social media on Sunday.
He added that the “order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order”.
