Former President Donald Trump has signaled his approval of a potential acquisition of TikTok by Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, along with Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

This comes in the wake of the platform’s recent ban in the United States over concerns about national security tied to its Chinese ownership.

The ban, enacted on Sunday, temporarily disabled the app for over 170 million U.S. users and removed it from Apple and Google app stores to comply with federal directives.

However, Trump, in one of his first executive actions, signed an order delaying the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to resume operations temporarily while its future is negotiated.

Speaking to reporters after signing the order, Trump suggested the U.S. government should receive half of the proceeds from any potential sale, positioning the move as a way to safeguard American interests.

“I have met with the big owners of TikTok,” Trump said. “What I’m thinking about saying is, ‘Buy it and give half to the United States of America.’”

Trump warned China against interfering with the sale, describing any obstruction as a “hostile” act and threatening to impose tariffs of up to 100% if necessary.

When asked about Musk’s interest in acquiring TikTok, Trump expressed his approval and included Ellison as another potential buyer. “I would be [open to Musk buying it],” Trump said.

“I’d like Larry to buy it, too. The deal is simple: TikTok is worthless without a U.S. permit, but with one, it could be worth a trillion dollars.”

Trump elaborated on his proposed arrangement, emphasizing that a deal with the U.S. would elevate the platform’s value.

“Buy it, give half to the United States, and we’ll give you a permit. With that, you’ll have a great partner in the United States, and TikTok will be something far more valuable because of it,” he added.

The proposal marks an unprecedented suggestion for government involvement in a private-sector deal and has already sparked debate over its implications for international business and U.S.-China relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has designated Hao Mingjin, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, as his special envoy to attend the inauguration of Ghana’s President-elect, John Mahama.

The ceremony is scheduled for January 7 in Accra, Ghana’s capital city.

The invitation from the Ghanaian government underscores the robust diplomatic relationship between China and Ghana. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, this visit symbolizes China’s broader commitment to fostering strong partnerships across Africa.

The announcement was made during the ministry’s regular press briefing in Beijing.

Guo highlighted that the event aligns with China’s tradition of prioritizing Africa in its foreign policy. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent tour of Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Chad marked the 35th consecutive year a Chinese foreign minister commenced overseas visits with trips to African nations.

Under President Xi’s leadership, initiatives like the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) have deepened ties, ushering in what Guo described as an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”

This relationship emphasizes mutual development and collaboration, portraying Africa as a “land of hope and source of dynamism.”

The participation of a high-ranking Chinese official at Ghana’s presidential inauguration reflects the importance China places on its partnership with African nations, signaling continued support and cooperation in various spheres, including economic development and diplomatic engagement.