Trump Grants TikTok Another 75-Day Extension Amid Ongoing Sale Talks
US President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring the platform to either sell its American operations or face a ban. “We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark’,” Trump said on Truth Social, expressing optimism about finalizing a deal with TikTok and China. The app is currently owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance.
Trump initially issued an extension after taking office in January, with that deadline originally set to expire on Saturday. The law passed by Congress mandates TikTok to cease operations in the US unless a buyer is secured. The app boasts over 170 million American users.
ByteDance confirmed on Friday that discussions with the Trump administration are ongoing, but a final agreement has yet to be reached. “Important issues still need to be addressed, and any agreement must comply with Chinese regulations,” a company spokesperson said.
Concerns over national security, particularly the potential for data collection and political influence by the Chinese government, led to bipartisan legislation last year giving ByteDance six months to divest its stake in TikTok.
Critics of a ban argue that shutting down TikTok would be a blow to free speech. The Trump administration is working to keep the app running by pushing for American ownership. “More work is needed to secure the necessary approvals,” Trump added on Truth Social.
A deal was reportedly close on Wednesday but unraveled after Trump announced sweeping new tariffs—including on Chinese imports—the same day. According to CBS News, ByteDance then informed the White House that China would not approve the sale unless tariff negotiations were reopened.
Sources say the proposed agreement had backing from current and prospective investors, ByteDance, and the US government before China pulled out. The Chinese embassy in Washington condemned actions it said breached market economy principles.
As trade tensions rise—China now faces a 54% overall tariff rate on US-bound goods, with 34% counter-tariffs in return—several new bidders have emerged. CBS reports Amazon submitted a last-minute offer, though the company has declined to comment. Other interested parties include billionaire Frank McCourt, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, Microsoft, Blackstone, Andreessen Horowitz, and AI firm Perplexity.
Trump mentioned that four separate groups are in talks with the administration, though he hasn’t disclosed their identities. Vice President JD Vance is leading efforts to finalize a sale.
Trump also hinted at a broader deal that could involve easing tariffs on China in exchange for approval of the TikTok sale. “We hope to continue working in good faith with China,” he posted, emphasizing that tariffs remain a powerful tool tied to national security.
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