TikTok has been granted another temporary reprieve, as President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. The 90-day extension pushes the deadline to September 17, allowing the short-form video app to continue operating in the U.S. while negotiations continue.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the news, stating, “The President will authorize an additional Executive Order this week to ensure TikTok remains active. He has made it clear that he doesn’t want the app to disappear, and this window will be used to work toward a secure agreement that safeguards American data.”
Ongoing Negotiations and National Security Concerns
The law requiring TikTok to be sold or banned in the U.S. technically took effect five months ago. However, enforcement has been repeatedly delayed by Trump. Despite bipartisan support for the legislation—driven by national security concerns over Chinese ownership—Trump has allowed the platform to remain live, with only a brief shutdown earlier this year.
This marks the third delay issued by the Trump administration, suggesting that the app’s future is being handled as part of broader U.S.–China relations. The move allows TikTok to stay online for its 170 million American users, even as it becomes a central issue in ongoing trade discussions between Washington and Beijing.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, acknowledged earlier that any deal would need approval under Chinese law. Complications surrounding China’s reluctance to allow the transfer of TikTok’s proprietary algorithm—widely considered the platform’s “secret sauce”—have slowed progress.
Failed Deals, New Bidders, and Diplomatic Calculations
A proposed agreement that would have transferred the majority ownership of TikTok’s U.S. division to American investors was close to completion in April. However, new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports put talks on hold. Following that setback, Trump issued another 75-day extension to avoid forcing a shutdown.
Trump has since reiterated that any future deal would likely need Beijing’s approval. “I believe President Xi will approve it,” Trump stated in a recent press interaction, expressing optimism about a resolution.
Several American companies and high-profile individuals have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. business. These include billionaire Frank McCourt, Amazon, Perplexity AI, and a group led by investor Kevin O’Leary. Even popular YouTuber and content creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is reportedly involved with another investor group.
The previous deal would have allowed ByteDance to retain a 20% minority stake in the new U.S.-based company—a key element of the legislation passed last year under the Biden administration.
Platform’s Future Still Uncertain Amid US–China Talks
TikTok’s most recent statement expressed gratitude for the continued support from the U.S. government. The company acknowledged ongoing collaboration with Vice President JD Vance’s office—who is leading negotiations—and emphasized its commitment to ensuring platform availability for its millions of American users and business partners.
This extension comes shortly after Washington and Beijing agreed on a framework to ease trade restrictions, possibly creating a more favorable environment for a TikTok deal. While it’s unclear if the agreement includes TikTok, improved cooperation could open the door for progress.
For now, TikTok remains active, but its long-term fate in the U.S. still hinges on diplomatic maneuvering, regulatory approvals, and the resolution of outstanding concerns over data security and ownership.
