The United States House of Representatives has approved a new bill that could result in the ban of TikTok in the country unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests from it.
This measure, which is part of a broader bill related to sanctions against foreign adversaries, was backed by 360 votes in favor and 58 against. As it is included in a package of foreign aid that seeks to support Ukraine and Israel militarily, as well as provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, the US Senate will have to quickly debate its approval.
The previous TikTok bill, approved last month by the House of Representatives, got stuck in the Senate due to conflicting opinions. The Chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Maria Cantwell, did not initially express her opinion, but has now voiced her support following the inclusion of the bill in the foreign aid package.
The new text extends the deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, giving them one year instead of six months. In addition, it establishes an initial divestment period of nine months, with the possibility of a three-month extension if there are negotiations for the sale of the app.
Most likely, the measure will face many challenges, including ByteDance’s resistance in court and the complexities of international trade negotiations. The final decision on this new bill rests with the Senate, where a heated debate is expected on the balance between national security, the economy, and international relations.
