Former US President Donald Trump revealed Monday that Microsoft is in discussions to acquire TikTok, as the app faces an uncertain future in the United States.

TikTok has come under pressure from a US law that mandates its separation from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or risks being banned.

When asked whether Microsoft was negotiating a deal, Trump responded, "I would say yes," during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One. He added, "There’s significant interest in TikTok, and a bidding war would be a positive development."

A ban on the popular video-sharing platform officially took effect on January 19 over fears that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans or influence public opinion.

However, Trump suspended the enforcement of the ban for two and a half months to seek a resolution with Beijing.

Angelo Zino from CFRA Research noted that Microsoft would have a compelling reason to invest in TikTok as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in digital advertising.

TikTok temporarily ceased operations in the US as the deadline for the ban loomed. Trump later vowed to issue an executive order to delay the ban, providing more time for negotiations.

The platform soon restored its services, attributing the reversal to Trump's intervention. The outgoing Biden administration, however, had previously stated it would not enforce the ban.

During his earlier term at the White House, Trump had made previous attempts to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns.