Microsoft has said it will press ahead with talks to buy TikTok’s US operations from the video app’s Chinese owner ByteDance despite the reservations of Donald Trump, following a conversation between chief executive Satya Nadella and the US president.
The US technology group also revealed that the potential transaction would include TikTok’s business in Canada and its Australia and New Zealand operations, amid growing scrutiny of the app globally including by Australian officials.
Microsoft said in a statement on Sunday that it was “committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury”.