Trump Administration May Extend TikTok Deadline Amid Ongoing Negotiations

The Trump administration is likely to extend the deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese owner of to sell its U.S. assets or shut down the app. This would mark the fourth extension since a law initially set a January 2025 deadline. The decision comes amid ongoing negotiations and concerns over national security.

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U.S.-China Trade Talks

Recent trade discussions between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese officials in Spain included TikTok on the agenda. However, a resolution is not anticipated before September 17. Previously, TikTok was not part of trade talks in Geneva, London, or Stockholm.

President Trump has expressed mixed feelings about TikTok's future. He mentioned having potential U.S. buyers but remained non-committal about the app's fate, stating it depends on China. "I may or may not," he said regarding extending the deadline further.

Concerns Over National Security

In Washington, there are fears that Beijing could use TikTok for espionage or censorship against Americans. Despite these concerns, Trump has shown interest in preserving the app due to its popularity among 170 million American users.

A proposed deal earlier this year aimed to create a new U.S.-based company for TikTok's operations with majority ownership by American investors. However, this plan stalled after China signaled disapproval following Trump's tariff announcements on Chinese goods.

Political Implications

The inclusion of TikTok in trade talks provides political justification for another extension, even though it might frustrate some members of Congress who demanded its sale. Both Republicans and Democrats have been vocal about their concerns over TikTok's ownership and potential risks.

The White House has not commented on the expected extension yet. If granted, it would indicate hesitation to shut down an app widely used across America. Meanwhile, any agreement involving TikTok's algorithm sharing with a U.S. buyer requires Beijing's approval.

As President Trump began his second term on January 20, he chose not to enforce the law mandating TikTok's asset sale or shutdown immediately. Instead, he extended deadlines multiple times—from early April to May, then June, and finally September—highlighting ongoing complexities in reaching a resolution.