US President Donald Trump has announced a second 75-day extension for TikTok to avoid a potential ban, giving the Chinese-owned app more time to find a US buyer. Trump expressed his desire to work with TikTok and China to finalize the deal and prevent the app from going dark.
The extension comes as TikTok faces a deadline under US law to either be sold or face a ban over national security concerns. Talks between ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, and the Trump administration are ongoing, but no agreements have been reached yet. Any deal would also need approval from Chinese authorities.
With over 170 million users in the US, TikTok has come under bipartisan scrutiny over fears of potential surveillance or political interference by the Chinese government. Despite these concerns, interest in acquiring TikTok remains high, with Amazon, billionaire Frank McCourt, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and several other firms reportedly interested in making a bid.
A near-finalized deal reportedly fell apart recently, with China pulling back after Trump announced tariffs on global imports. The Chinese embassy expressed opposition to practices that violate the principles of the market economy. However, Trump remains optimistic about finding a solution, with Vice President JD Vance leading efforts to secure a deal.
Trump’s team is currently working with four groups interested in acquiring TikTok. He hinted at a possible trade-off, suggesting that China’s approval of the TikTok sale could lead to US tariff relief. The White House tweeted about the progress made in saving TikTok, highlighting the administration’s efforts to secure a deal.
As negotiations continue, TikTok users and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the app’s uncertain future in the US. The outcome of these discussions will not only impact the fate of TikTok but also have broader implications for US-China relations and the global tech industry.
