BEIJING/SHANGHAI: TikTok owner ByteDance said on Monday that the company had initiated preliminary talks with a tech company to help it continue offering the short video app in the United States, a source said citing an internal company letter.
President Donald Trump only agreed to allow Microsoft Corp to negotiate the acquisition of popular short-video app TikTok if it could secure a deal in 45 days, three people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.
The move represents an about-face for Trump and prompted the US tech giant to declare its interest in the blockbuster social media deal that could further inflame US-China relations.
ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter.
Meanwhile, the UK’s The Sun newspaper reported that ByteDance will move its headquarters to London from Beijing under a deal approved by British ministers.
ByteDance’s founders are to announce their intention to set up shop in London soon, the newspaper said, adding that the move was likely to upset Trump who has considered banning TikTok in the US. – Aug 3, 2020, Reuters
