Trump Extends Deadline for TikTok Deal
President Trump has granted an additional 75 days for investors to finalize a deal to manage deadline for TikTok U.S. operations, avoiding a national ban on the Chinese-owned platform. The move comes as tensions between the U.S. and China intensify, particularly over tariffs.
Negotiations Continue Despite Trade Disputes
Trump signed an executive order on Friday, extending the deadline for completing the deal. He acknowledged significant progress in negotiations. However, he stated that further work is needed to secure necessary approvals. The deadline extension allows more time for these efforts.
Details of the Proposed Deal
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that the deal would separate TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new entity, primarily owned by American investors. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, would hold less than a 20% stake in the new venture. The deal still requires approval from both the U.S. and Chinese governments.
China’s Stance on Tariffs Influences Agreement
On Thursday, ByteDance informed the White House that China would not approve the deal unless U.S. trade and tariff negotiations were addressed. This follows the 34% tariff Trump imposed on Chinese imports, which Beijing responded to with retaliatory tariffs.
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ByteDance Confirms Pending Agreement
ByteDance confirmed that no final agreement has been reached, with “key matters” still unresolved. The company emphasized that any agreement would need approval under Chinese law, further complicating the negotiations.
Possible American Investors in TikTok
Among the potential investors in the new U.S.-controlled TikTok entity are major firms such as Oracle, Blackstone, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz, with Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell also reportedly involved. The discussions have been ongoing for several months, led by Vice President JD Vance and his team.
Political Pressure on TikTok Continues
TikTok has faced bipartisan scrutiny over national security concerns, with lawmakers fearing Chinese ownership could compromise sensitive American data. However, TikTok denies any wrongdoing and actively lobbies against a ban. The platform emphasizes its role in supporting influencers and small businesses. It argues that the potential ban would harm these groups.
Trump’s Shifting Position on TikTok
Initially, Trump led efforts to ban TikTok. However, during the 2024 campaign, he reversed his stance. He credits TikTok with gaining support from younger voters. In January, he extended the ban deadline by 75 days, and recently, he issued another extension.
Looking Forward to Resolution
Trump stated on Friday that he does not want TikTok to “go dark.” He emphasized the desire for collaboration. He looks forward to working with TikTok and China. The goal is to finalize the deal soon.
