July 8, 2025
TikTok and CapCut’s parent company ByteDance is releasing US-specific versions of both apps.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is planning to launch a U.S.-specific version of the social media app along with its popular video-editing app CapCut.
The move comes ahead of a planned sale of the app to a group of investors, aligning with the 2024 U.S. law that mandates Chinese-owned apps to divest or risk being banned, according to Reuters. TikTok is rolling out a standalone version of its platform tailored specifically for U.S. users, while its video-editing app will launch under a new name: “CapCut US.”
TikTok plans to launch a new U.S.-specific version in app stores by September 5, with the current version expected to fully phase out by March 2026, pending a sale. The move aims to retain its large U.S. user base while addressing growing legal and political pressure.
The move comes as the Trump administration renews efforts to enforce a law, signed by former President Joe Biden and upheld by the Supreme Court, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets to non-Chinese owners. On July 4, President Donald Trump announced plans to begin discussions with China the following week regarding a potential deal for TikTok.
However, by July 7, China’s government deflected questions about Trump’s recent claim that he “pretty much” has a deal in place with Beijing to transfer TikTok to American ownership.
“China has reiterated its principle and position on issues related to TikTok on multiple occasions,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
ByteDance faces a September 17 deadline to divest the app’s U.S. operations or risk a nationwide ban. The mandate stems from a law signed by then-President Biden last year due to national security concerns. While the original deadline was set for January, Trump has postponed enforcement multiple times.
When previously asked about the TikTok deal, China’s Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to ensure an “open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment” for Chinese companies. It also emphasized that business acquisitions should be “independently decided by companies based on market principles.” So far, the Chinese government has shown little sign of supporting a forced sale.
In the U.S., TikTok has more than 170 million monthly active users. A Pew Research Center study found that over 60% of American teens and roughly one-third of adults use the platform for news, entertainment, and even to earn an income. Meanwhile, CapCut has become an essential editing tool for both professional creators and everyday users, offering a range of viral video templates and intuitive, easy-to-use features. The app has surpassed 1 billion downloads on Google Play and currently ranks as the top photo and video app in Apple’s U.S. App Store, ahead of Instagram and YouTube.
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