President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is signing an executive order extending TikTok’s operations in the US for another 75 days, allowing more time to finalize a deal that would place the platform under American ownership.
The White House was close to securing an agreement to transfer TikTok’s US operations into a new, American-majority-owned company, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
However, discussions stalled after China reacted strongly to Trump’s announcement of new global tariffs, including measures targeting Beijing. ByteDance informed the White House that China would not approve any deal until broader trade and tariff discussions took place.
Despite a Congress-imposed January 19 deadline for TikTok’s divestment over national security concerns, Trump unilaterally extended the deadline to continue negotiations. Several US firms had expressed interest in investing, and the potential agreement was being structured with input from Vice President JD Vance’s team, ByteDance, and American investors. The deal included a 120-day period to finalize the terms.
Trump’s administration had been optimistic about securing Beijing’s approval, but the new tariff tensions complicated the talks. However, Trump remained hopeful, stating that his team had made “tremendous progress” and that a deal was still possible.
ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions but emphasized that any agreement must comply with Chinese law. Meanwhile, TikTok, headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore, reiterated its commitment to user safety, while China’s Foreign Ministry maintained that it does not demand access to foreign user data.
This marks the second time Trump has postponed enforcement of the 2024 law requiring TikTok’s divestment. The legislation, upheld by the Supreme Court, was supported by Congress on national security grounds.
Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi, a co-author of the TikTok bill, criticized Trump’s decision, urging the administration to enforce the law immediately. “Bidders are lined up, and the clock is ticking. No more excuses,” he stated.
Legal experts suggest that challenging Trump’s move in court could be difficult, as establishing legal standing for a lawsuit would be complicated. Cornell University’s Sarah Kreps noted that maintaining the status quo is legally safer, though concerns over security persist. Cybersecurity expert Chris Pierson warned that if ByteDance retains control over TikTok’s algorithm or data, national security risks remain.
The law technically allows for one 90-day extension if Congress is notified and a deal is in progress. However, legal scholar Alan Rozenshtein argued that Trump’s move does not meet these conditions and instead represents a refusal to enforce the law.
Public opinion on TikTok remains divided. A recent Pew survey found that one-third of Americans support a ban, down from 50% in 2023, with security concerns being the primary driver of support.
For TikTok creators, the uncertainty is frustrating. Terrell Wade, who has 1.5 million followers, said the repeated delays make the issue feel less urgent. “Each new deadline feels less serious,” he said, adding that he has started building his audience on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook as a precaution.
“I just want clarity,” Wade said. “So we can move on from the constant uncertainty.”
