WORLD
TikTok restores services after Donald Trump assures the app of a revival plan
- IBJ Bureau
- Jan 20, 2025

TikTok began restoring its services on Sunday after President-Elect Donald Trump said that he would revive the app’s access in the US when he returned to power on Monday.
“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Mr Trump said at a rally on Sunday ahead of his inauguration, adding that the US will seek a joint venture to restore the short-video sharing app used by 170 million Americans.
In a message to users hours before the rally, TikTok said: “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US.”
TikTok also issued an earlier statement after US users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service’s website while the far more widely used TikTok app itself began coming back online for some users with just a few basic services. As of Sunday evening, the app remained unavailable for download on US app stores.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said in the earlier statement that also thanked Mr Trump for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties (for) providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive”.
TikTok’s public thanks to Mr Trump, the day before he takes office, comes at a tense moment in US-China relations. Mr Trump has said that he intends to place tariffs on China but has also indicated that he hopes to have more direct contact with China’s leader.
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