Trump extends deadline to keep TikTok running in US

US President Donald Trump has decided to give TikTok another 75 days to comply with a law that requires the popular video-sharing app to either sell its US operations or face a ban. Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform, 'We do not want TikTok to go dark. ' He is optimistic about working with TikTok and China to finalize a deal. The app is currently owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The first extension was granted shortly after Trump took office in January, and it was set to expire on Saturday. TikTok claims to have over 170 million users in the US, but it must cease operations in the country unless a buyer is found. ByteDance stated that discussions with the Trump administration are ongoing, but 'an agreement has not been executed. ' A spokesperson for ByteDance mentioned, 'There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law. ' The previous administration under Joe Biden had raised concerns that TikTok could be exploited by China for espionage and political manipulation. Last year, Congress passed a bipartisan law that mandated ByteDance to sell its controlling stake in TikTok within six months or face a ban in the US. Opponents of the ban have argued that it infringes on freedom of speech. The latest extension comes as the Trump administration is working to secure a deal that would allow the social media platform to remain operational in the US while transitioning to American ownership. Trump noted on Truth Social, 'The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed. ' A deal was reportedly close to being finalized on Wednesday, but it fell through after Trump announced sweeping global tariffs, including those affecting China. ByteDance representatives reached out to the White House to inform them that China would not approve the deal unless negotiations regarding the tariffs could take place, according to a source familiar with the situation. The plan had been for Trump to sign an order that would initiate a 120-day period for closing the deal, allowing time to finalize paperwork and secure financing. The agreement had received approval from existing investors, new investors, ByteDance, and the US government, but China withdrew its support after the tariffs were imposed. The Chinese embassy in Washington DC stated that it 'opposes practices that violate the basic principles of the market economy. ' Currently, China faces a 54% aggregate tariff on goods imported into the US, and in response, they have implemented a 34% counter-tariff. In recent days, several potential buyers for TikTok have emerged. Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute offer to acquire the platform, although the company has declined to comment. Other potential buyers include billionaire Frank McCourt and Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary. Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, has also joined McCourt's bid. Additionally, major companies such as Microsoft, private equity firm Blackstone, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and search engine Perplexity AI are reportedly interested in acquiring a stake in TikTok. Trump has mentioned that his administration is in contact with four different groups interested in a potential TikTok deal, although he has not disclosed their identities. Vice-President JD Vance is leading the administration's efforts to find a buyer. Trump has also suggested that the US could offer a deal where China agrees to approve a TikTok sale in exchange for relief from US tariffs on Chinese imports. He stated on Truth Social, 'We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs. ' He emphasized that the trade levies are 'the most powerful economic tool, and very important to our national security.