On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced an extension for China-based ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets related to the popular short-video app TikTok, moving the deadline to September 17. This decision comes despite federal laws requiring either a sale or the termination of TikTok’s operations without significant progress towards a deal.
Trump’s executive order, signed on Thursday, delays the original deadline by 90 days, a move he had hinted at earlier.
The president previously granted two extensions from the enforcement of a law mandating TikTok’s sale or shutdown, which was slated to take effect in January, contingent on substantial advancements toward divestiture.
Trump has expressed his desire to keep TikTok operational in the U.S., highlighting its influence in appealing to younger voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Moreover, he has shown optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping would endorse a plan that keeps TikTok available in the U.S., although the extent to which this topic is being discussed amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations remains uncertain.
In a statement on its website, TikTok conveyed its gratitude for Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring the app’s continued availability in the United States.
The company is reportedly engaging with the office of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to address the situation.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt communicated to reporters during a briefing on Thursday that the additional time would enable the negotiation of a favorable agreement. She noted that both White House lawyers and the Department of Justice believe the deadline extension is legally sound.
On Tuesday, Leavitt stated, “President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” emphasizing that the administration would focus on finalizing a sale that ensures the protection of U.S. consumer data over the next three months.
During his remarks on Air Force One, Trump indicated he would likely extend the deadline, suggesting that obtaining China’s approval would be necessary but expressing confidence in a favorable outcome with President Xi.
A law enacted in 2024 mandated that TikTok cease operations by January 19 unless ByteDance divested its U.S. assets or demonstrated significant progress toward that goal.
Trump began his second term on January 20 and chose not to enforce the existing law. He first delayed the deadline to early April and subsequently to June 19.
Back in March, Trump indicated willingness to lower tariffs on China in exchange for a deal with ByteDance that would facilitate the sale of TikTok, which is utilized by 170 million Americans.
Plans for a deal were underway this spring to separate TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new company predominantly owned and operated by American investors, but these discussions stalled after China’s reluctance to approve the arrangement in light of Trump’s announcement regarding increased tariffs on Chinese imports.
Some Democratic lawmakers contend that Trump lacks the legal authority to extend the deadline and question whether the proposed deal meets necessary legal criteria.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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