Trump Extends TikTok Deadline by 75 Days Amid Ongoing Negotiations

On Friday, President Donald Trump revealed his decision to extend the timeline for TikTok to find an American buyer by another 75 days. He explained that this extension is essential to finalize the necessary approvals and to prevent the widely used social media platform from shutting down in the United States. Trump indicated on Truth Social that his administration has been diligently working on a deal to preserve TikTok, claiming significant advancements have been made.

Initially, Trump had delayed the app's ban on his first day in office by issuing an executive order, giving ByteDance, the Chinese-based owner of TikTok, until April 5 to locate a U.S. buyer. Recently, the president convened a meeting at the White House with key advisers and Vice President JD Vance to discuss potential offers for the app. Although there were rumors that a deal was on the verge of being finalized, negotiations were complicated after the administration enacted new tariffs on China, causing talks to stall.

Legislation passed by Congress late last year mandates that ByteDance must divest from TikTok and sell it to an American company, or else the app will be prohibited on platforms like the App Store and Google. This law aims to protect American users' data and national security by reducing the influence of a company linked to the Chinese government. Various tech and investment firms, including major players like Amazon and Oracle, have shown interest in acquiring TikTok, but discussions have faced setbacks.

A source informed the Associated Press that negotiations with ByteDance fell apart following the announcement of the tariffs. Representatives from ByteDance have reportedly indicated that progress will not advance until tariff and trade discussions are resolved, leaving the outcome of the negotiations uncertain. Trump expressed hope for continued cooperation with China to reach an agreement, acknowledging that they are dissatisfied with the tariffs that aim for fair trade relations.

The deal's complexity has made it challenging to find a resolution, especially as ByteDance has not publicly agreed to sell TikTok. Last year, the social media giant attempted to challenge the bill, but the Supreme Court upheld it. This legislation permits the president to grant a single 75-day extension, which Trump has now enacted. Although he previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term, his stance shifted while campaigning for the 2024 election, as he vowed to keep the app operational. There were reports of TikTok briefly becoming inaccessible before Trump’s executive order delayed any action against it, allowing for continued use for another 75 days.