US President Donald Trump has granted a second 75-day extension for the popular video-sharing app to comply with a US law mandating either its divestment or a ban, reads a BBC report.
The extension, announced on Friday, aims to allow TikTok and its parent company ByteDance more time to finalize a sale of its American operations while addressing national security concerns. Trump expressed his desire to keep TikTok operational, stating, “We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark.’” ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration, though no deal has been finalized. Any agreement will be subject to approval by the Chinese government.
This extension follows an initial deadline set for this weekend, after Trump’s first extension in January. With over 170 million US users, TikTok’s future is uncertain, especially under a bipartisan law passed by Congress last year, which mandates ByteDance sell its US business or face a shutdown.
National security fears about the app being used by Beijing for surveillance or political influence have been central to the discussion. The law requires ByteDance to divest its majority stake in TikTok or face a potential ban. Although critics argue the ban infringes on free speech, the law has strong bipartisan support in Congress.
Trump’s extension provides more time to negotiate the sale, but discussions faced a setback earlier this week after Trump introduced sweeping tariffs, including on Chinese imports. Sources reported that ByteDance reached out to the White House, stating that China would not approve any deal unless tariff negotiations were included.
China’s tariffs on US goods currently stand at 34%, with the US imposing an overall 54% tariff on Chinese imports. The Chinese government has opposed actions it views as violations of market principles.
Several potential buyers are now reportedly in talks to acquire TikTok’s US operations, including tech giants like Amazon and private equity firms like Blackstone. Other interested parties include billionaire Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Trump has mentioned that four groups are negotiating the potential acquisition.
Additionally, there are hints of a broader deal with China, where Beijing might approve the TikTok sale in exchange for reduced US tariffs. Trump emphasized that tariffs are a crucial economic tool in the ongoing talks, stating, “They remain the most powerful economic tool.”
As negotiations continue, TikTok’s future in the US remains in flux, with both national security and international trade relations playing pivotal roles in the decision-making process.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
