U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has stated that TikTok must be removed from Chinese control, warning that the app will cease operations in the United States if China does not approve a deal transferring ownership to an American entity. The short-video platform, which has approximately 170 million U.S. users, faces a deadline potentially extending into the last quarter of 2025, following an initial 75-day period granted by the Trump administration and a subsequent 90-day extension. The administration emphasizes that TikTok's continuation in the U.S. market hinges on this ownership transition. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is also deliberating whether to permit a planned U.S. stopover by Taiwan's leader, amid concerns that such a visit could disrupt ongoing trade negotiations with China and a possible summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taiwan's presidential office has denied any immediate plans for overseas visits, citing recent regional challenges and tariff issues.