In a move to extend the operation of TikTok in the United States, President Donald Trump has issued a second 75-day extension for the popular video-sharing app to comply with a law that mandates either the sale of its US operations or risk a complete shutdown. Announcing the extension on Truth Social, Trump emphasized, "We do not want TikTok to 'go dark'," expressing optimism in securing an agreement between TikTok and China.
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Amid Ongoing Deal Discussions
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Amid Ongoing Deal Discussions
US President Donald Trump grants TikTok another 75 days to comply with operations in the US or face a ban, while negotiations for a potential sale continue.
The platform, currently owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has grown to amass over 170 million users in the US alone. However, a law passed by Congress last year stipulates that TikTok must sell its controlling stake in the US market or face an impending ban. Following the initial extension granted in January, the deadline now extends to a crucial window of negotiations for any potential buyers.
ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration but noted that a finalized agreement has not yet been reached. The complexity of the transaction is heightened by anticipated approvals under Chinese law, as former President Joe Biden's government highlighted concerns regarding TikTok potentially being leveraged by China for espionage purposes.
The recent extension arrives amid attempts by the Trump administration to facilitate an acquisition of TikTok that would ensure its continued presence in the US marketplace. There were hopes that an imminent deal would come to fruition shortly, but talks reportedly stalled when new global tariffs were announced by Trump, leading to a reevaluation from Chinese officials.
Several parties have emerged as potential buyers for TikTok, with tech giant Amazon allegedly making a late-stage offer to purchase the app. Other bidders include billionaire Frank McCourt in partnership with Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, as well as major firms like Microsoft and Blackstone. Trump has indicated that his administration is actively engaged with multiple entities exploring acquisition possibilities.
Additionally, Trump hinted at a possible compromise where China might approve a TikTok sale in exchange for leniency on US tariffs imposed on Chinese imports. He maintained that the tariffs serve not only as an economic tactic but also as a critical element of US national security.
As negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain, but the extension signifies a crucial opportunity for all parties involved to reach a resolution that satisfies legal requirements while keeping the app available for millions of American users.
ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration but noted that a finalized agreement has not yet been reached. The complexity of the transaction is heightened by anticipated approvals under Chinese law, as former President Joe Biden's government highlighted concerns regarding TikTok potentially being leveraged by China for espionage purposes.
The recent extension arrives amid attempts by the Trump administration to facilitate an acquisition of TikTok that would ensure its continued presence in the US marketplace. There were hopes that an imminent deal would come to fruition shortly, but talks reportedly stalled when new global tariffs were announced by Trump, leading to a reevaluation from Chinese officials.
Several parties have emerged as potential buyers for TikTok, with tech giant Amazon allegedly making a late-stage offer to purchase the app. Other bidders include billionaire Frank McCourt in partnership with Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, as well as major firms like Microsoft and Blackstone. Trump has indicated that his administration is actively engaged with multiple entities exploring acquisition possibilities.
Additionally, Trump hinted at a possible compromise where China might approve a TikTok sale in exchange for leniency on US tariffs imposed on Chinese imports. He maintained that the tariffs serve not only as an economic tactic but also as a critical element of US national security.
As negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain, but the extension signifies a crucial opportunity for all parties involved to reach a resolution that satisfies legal requirements while keeping the app available for millions of American users.
