Trump gives nod to Oracle buyout of TikTok in US

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US President Donald Trump has said tech giant Oracle would be «a great company» to take over TikTok’s US operations.

It comes after Oracle was reported as a possible buyer of the Chinese social media app’s business in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Last week Mr Trump ordered TikTok’s owner ByteDance to sell its US business within 90 days or face being shut down

Oracle’s chairman Larry Ellison is a supporter of Mr Trump and held a fundraising event for him in February.

Mr Trump’s comments – during a speech in Yuma, Arizona – came after reports that Oracle was working on an offer for some TikTok assets with a group of ByteDance’s investors.

According to those reports, Oracle was seriously considering buying TikTok’s businesses in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with investment firms, including General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital.

In February, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellision held a high-profile fundraiser for Mr Trump at his private golf course and estate in California.

Earlier this month Mr Trump said the government should get a «substantial portion» of the sale price of TikTok’s US unit if an American firm buys it.

Where does TikTok currently stand in the US?

Last week the White House said a government panel that vets foreign transactions – the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US – had recommended that ByteDance should divest TikTok’s US operations within 90 days.

Mr Trump said there was «credible evidence» that TikTok was being used by ByteDance to breach US security.

ByteDance has repeatedly denied that it has improperly shared users’ data.

Washington’s attacks on TikTok have been seen by many commentators as part of its ongoing trade conflict with Beijing.

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Who are the rival bidders for TikTok?

Microsoft has been the lead contender to purchase those TikTok businesses since it said publicly earlier this month that it had held talks with ByteDance.

Rival social media company Twitter has also reportedly approached TikTok’s owner ByteDance to express an interest in buying its US operations.

This year the hugely popular short video sharing app reached 2bn downloads globally.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has joined Triller, a New-York-based rival to TikTok.