Stay informed with in-depth breaking U.S. political news and insightful analysis from VoiceOfAmericaNews.com. Our featured AI-POWERED NEWS MONITOR includes a curated feed from authoritative sources such as the White House, FBI, and NSA, highlighting our commitment to monitoring key national broadcasts and upholding democratic values.

NEWS MONITOR

VoiceOfAmericaNews.com Analyzing Key U.S. Broadcasts

How TikTok got caught in the middle of a trade war with China

After weeks of threats, the president delivered an ultimatum to TikTok and its owner ByteDance: sell the app’s US operations to an American company or it would be banned. He gave the company little more than a month — until Sept. 15 — to find a buyer and figure out how to disentangle itself from its Chinese parent company. 

More than a month later, TikTok’s future is still uncertain despite multiple interested buyers. China has fired back with new trade rules that could prevent a new owner from gaining access to TikTok’s most important feature: its recommendation algorithm.

Now, as the clock ticks down to Trump’s mid-September deadline, TikTok and its potential buyers are frantically working to figure out what it all means for a deal. An algorithm-less TikTok is a very different TikTok, and there’s no guarantee that Microsoft or Oracle would be able to replicate the app’s current recommendation magic. 

At the same time, Facebook has seized the opportunity to launch its own TikTok competitor with Reels. The Instagram feature so far hasn’t had a ton of success in the US, but the company is pushing it hard in other countries.

All that leaves TikTok in a precarious position. While the current uncertainty hasn’t affected its ability to keep its millions of users scrolling, that could change. If the company isn’t able to secure its future in the US, or is forced to relinquish the technology that makes it so addictive, the app’s influence could fade as quickly as it started.

  • Related Posts

    LIVE REPLAY: U.S. Begin​s Major Combat Operations in Iran ​- 2/28/26

    Join RSBN LIVE for the latest news on the first day of President Trump’s combat operations in Iran. On Feb. 28, 2026, the president launched “Operation Epic Fury” to stop…

    LIVE: U.N. Security Council Holds a Meeting on "The Situation in the Middle East" – 2/28/26

    The United Nations Security Council convenes an emergency meeting to discuss “The Situation in the Middle East” amid U.S. and Israel strikes in Iran. Watch RSBN’s live coverage of the…

    You Missed

    LIVE REPLAY: U.S. Begin​s Major Combat Operations in Iran ​- 2/28/26

    LIVE REPLAY: U.S. Begin​s Major Combat Operations in Iran ​- 2/28/26

    LIVE: U.N. Security Council Holds a Meeting on "The Situation in the Middle East" – 2/28/26

    LIVE: U.N. Security Council Holds a Meeting on "The Situation in the Middle East" – 2/28/26

    Iran–US Escalation: What’s Happening Now? – BBC URDU

    Iran–US Escalation: What’s Happening Now? – BBC URDU

    আন্তর্জাতিক খবর Today 01 March' 2026 | বিশ্বসংবাদ Jamuna i desk BBC NEWS DBC WORLD NEWS Bangla

    আন্তর্জাতিক খবর Today 01 March' 2026 | বিশ্বসংবাদ Jamuna i desk  BBC NEWS DBC WORLD NEWS Bangla

    Bonobo cracks safety glass at Memphis Zoo exhibit

    Bonobo cracks safety glass at Memphis Zoo exhibit

    Trump announces beginning of 'major combat operations in Iran'

    Trump announces beginning of 'major combat operations in Iran'
    ©2025 VoiceOfAmericaNews.com