Beijing would prefer to see ByteDance shut down TikTok U.S. rather than sell it to an American company, according to Reuters.
Sources told Reuters that Chinese officials believe selling TikTok to a U.S. firm would make China look weak amid an intensifying trade war.
ByteDance said the Chinese government has not suggested that it shut down TikTok in the U.S. But it's clear that China is not going to take President Trump's efforts against TikTok lying down. With Trump's September 20 deadline approaching fast, a sale looks less likely all the time.