U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed confidence that a high-level agreement for TikTok’s sale will materialize before the April 5 deadline, potentially keeping the popular social media platform operational in the United States while addressing national security concerns.

“There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I think satisfies our national security concerns, allows there to be a distinct American TikTok enterprise,” Vance told NBC News. 

The VP, tasked by President Trump alongside National Security Adviser Michael Waltz to facilitate the deal, indicates the broad framework for the agreement is coming together.

The April 5 deadline stems from bipartisan legislation signed by former President Biden that requires ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban. 

Trump’s executive order on his first day in office instructed the Attorney General to delay enforcement for 75 days, establishing the current timeline.

The Bidders

Last week, Trump confirmed the administration is “dealing with four different groups” of potential buyers, though he did not identify them. 

Notable figures publicly expressing interest include Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner, who reportedly offered $47.45 billion through his company Omnivest Financial, approaching TikTok’s estimated $50 billion valuation. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has also joined businessman Frank McCourt’s bid.

ByteDance has not publicly confirmed negotiations with any potential buyers or its willingness to sell to a U.S. bidder.

Logistics May Require Extension

While optimistic about meeting the deadline, Vance acknowledged potential logistical challenges. 

“Typically, some of these deals that are much smaller and involve much less capital take months to close,” said Vance. “The outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done.”

The VP pointed to specific complexities, including “equity ownership of the new joint venture” and “creating thousands and thousands of pages of legal documents.” 

Despite these challenges, Vance maintained that TikTok would remain “operational in a way that’s protective of Americans’ data privacy and America’s national security.”

Trump himself said he would “probably” extend the TikTok sale deadline if terms weren’t reached before the negotiation window expired.