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U.S. Creates Sovereign Wealth Fund With Potential To Acquire TikTok

In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund within the next 12 months, which could include the acquisition of the popular short-video app TikTok. The fund’s purpose would be to manage U.S. assets and generate wealth for the nation, with Trump promising it would benefit American citizens.

The sovereign wealth fund could be structured similarly to other such funds in countries across the globe, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, which use them to make direct investments. While the executive order provided little detail on the fund’s operations, it directed the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to submit a comprehensive plan, including funding mechanisms and investment strategies, within 90 days.

Trump has previously expressed support for creating a government-backed investment vehicle during his presidential campaign. He envisioned it as a tool to fund key national projects such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and medical research. The fund would likely be financed through innovative sources, including tariffs, though no clear explanation has been provided yet on its structure or funding.

In contrast to typical sovereign wealth funds, which rely on a country’s budget surplus, the U.S. operates at a deficit, which makes the funding approach more complex. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the fund’s creation would focus on monetizing U.S. assets, particularly those on the country’s balance sheet. However, many experts believe that the creation of such a fund would require Congressional approval, as it may involve legislation to authorize new funding sources.

The possibility of the fund purchasing TikTok has drawn significant attention. Trump suggested that the fund might acquire the social media platform, which has around 170 million U.S. users, after its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance became a subject of national security concerns. A law mandating ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban took effect in January, but Trump has delayed its enforcement by 75 days, citing ongoing negotiations. Trump stated that if a suitable deal could be reached, TikTok would potentially become part of the sovereign wealth fund. However, he also indicated that this was not a certainty, leaving the decision still to be made.

This announcement follows reports that the Biden administration had also explored the idea of establishing a similar fund. However, as Trump’s plan unfolds, it remains uncertain whether it will materialize within the expected timeframe. Sovereign wealth funds manage over $8 trillion globally, and with this new initiative, the U.S. could join the ranks of nations leveraging such funds for national investment purposes.

Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

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