Breaking news

Trump Approves Sale Of TikTok U.S. Operations To Bolster National Security

In a decisive move aimed at consolidating American oversight of critical digital assets, President Donald Trump signed an executive order approving the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a consortium of American investors. This strategic decision comes as a response to longstanding national security concerns, while also preserving access for American users.

Regulatory Maneuvering And National Security

The new order bypasses enforcement of an existing national security law, originally established by former President Joe Biden, that would have mandated the divestiture of TikTok’s American operations. By deferring enforcement for 120 days, the president has effectively provided a window to finalize a deal that places TikTok’s U.S. platform under American control, valued at approximately $14 billion, according to Vice President JD Vance.

International Endorsement And Corporate Governance

Notably, President Trump confirmed that he discussed the impending changes with China’s President Xi Jinping, receiving tacit approval to proceed. Central to the restructuring is the establishment of a new board of directors that will oversee critical technology aspects including the recommendation algorithm, source code, and content moderation systems. Oracle has been designated to manage the app’s security operations and computing services, marking a significant commitment to heightened data protection and transparency.

Investor Composition And Future Implications

While details remain emerging, reports from CNBC indicate that Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX would collectively secure a 45% stake in the restructured entity. This transaction not only ensures continued access to TikTok for American users but also signals a broader strategy to insulate U.S. data from foreign influence. Vice President Vance underscored the transformation, stating that the revamped platform would furnish Americans with improved data security and decreased susceptibility to misuse as a propaganda tool.

Policy Evolution And Bipartisan Dynamics

This executive order marks another extension of the deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations, following several prior deferments initiated by President Trump. Originally launched in 2020 as part of a broader push to ban TikTok, the initiative has since garnered bipartisan support, reflecting a mutual recognition of the security risks posed by foreign-controlled digital platforms.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter