Washington: US Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday expressed confidence that a deal to sell TikTok and ensure its continued operation in the country will be mostly finalized by the April deadline. '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 said in an interview with NBC News aboard Air Force Two.

According to Anadolu Agency, Vance highlighted that deals of this nature, which involve significant capital, typically take months to close. However, the aim is to finalize the TikTok sale by early April. Vance noted the importance of having the main components of the deal clear, while acknowledging the challenge of completing the necessary paperwork within the timeframe.

The uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future in the US began last year when then-President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation mandating its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban. Vance, along with national security adviser Michael Waltz, is actively working to secure a US-based buyer for TikTok.

In a related development, President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that delayed the enforcement of the ban for 75 days, giving TikTok until April 5 to finalize a sale. On Sunday, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump shared his optimism about reaching a deal soon, noting that the administration was negotiating with four different groups, though he did not specify them. He also indicated willingness to consider an extension if the agreement is not completed by the deadline.