> wonder if they couldn't sell to a more "friendly" to China country somewhere in Europe and then backdoor info out of there?

It only counts if "the President determines, through an interagency process, would result in the relevant foreign adversary controlled application no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary" [1].

So presumably if a pair of Hungarian millionaires show up and place a bid, there would be additional questions.

[1] https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7521... 2(g)(6)*