Trump says TikTok sale can go through but only if the US gets a cut

"It's a great asset, but it's not a great asset in the United States unless they have approval in the United States."

Asked in a subsequent press briefing whether the money for the Treasury should come from Microsoft — which is pursuing a purchase of TikTok — or TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance, Trump said the US should get a significant portion of the deal "either way."

"Whether it's Microsoft or somebody else, or if it's the Chinese — what the price is, the United States could — should get a very large percentage of that price.

"TikTok will be here for many years to come."

Microsoft says it is still discussing a potential purchase of TikTok, days after Trump first said he would ban the popular short-form video app from operating in the US.

In a blog post Sunday, Microsoft said its CEO, Satya Nadella, has talked with Trump about buying the app.

(Security experts, however, say the threat is largely theoretical or indirect.)

"[Microsoft] is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury," the company said, adding that it will "move quickly" to talk with ByteDance "in a matter of weeks."

Microsoft declined to comment beyond the blog post following Trump's remarks on Monday.

The Trump administration has repeatedly targeted the short-form video app in recent weeks, citing concerns over the privacy and security of its American users.

Responding to reports that it is considering London for a new TikTok headquarters, ByteDance said in a statement that it was "committed to being a global company."

"In light of the current situation, ByteDance has been evaluating the possibility of establishing TikTok's headquarters outside of the US, to better serve our global users," the company said.