China’s government on Monday sidestepped a question on US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that he “pretty much” has a deal with Beijing to bring TikTok into American ownership and that talks with China over the popular short-video app could begin early this week.

Is TikTok a national security threat or not? The effort to sell off the app's US assets continues to drag amid multiple legally dubious extensions from Trump.

According to reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping is holding off on approving any sale until he can use TikTok as leverage in broader trade negotiations with the White House.