TikTok Gets a Temporary Lifeline—For Now
In a last-minute move that’s sent ripples through the tech and political spheres, former President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he's extending the deadline to ban TikTok in the U.S. by an additional 75 days. The announcement came just hours before the original deadline was set to kick in.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “We’ve made tremendous progress on a deal to SAVE TIKTOK. More work is needed to finalize the necessary approvals, so I’m signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok running for the next 75 days.”
This isn’t the first time the clock has been reset. It marks the second time Trump has given TikTok more breathing room as negotiations unfold behind the scenes.
The Backstory: What Sparked the TikTok Deadline?
The roots of this saga stretch back to a law signed in 2023 by President Joe Biden, which gave ByteDance—TikTok’s parent company—a deadline of January 19 to divest from the app's U.S. operations or face a ban.
On his first day back in office, Trump revived the issue, issuing an executive order that pushed the timeline out by 75 days. Now, with that window nearly closed, he’s given TikTok yet another extension.
Interestingly, TikTok was briefly pulled from the Apple App Store and Google Play just before the previous deadline—only to return a short time later once negotiations showed signs of life.
Behind closed doors, high-stakes talks have been heating up. Bloomberg reports that Trump recently reviewed a bid led by major U.S. investors including Oracle, Blackstone, and venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz. That proposal is reportedly leading the pack.
But they’re not alone. Other big names like Amazon, Walmart, AppLovin, Perplexity AI, and billionaire Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty consortium have also thrown their hats into the ring. It’s shaping up to be one of the most closely watched acquisition races in recent tech history.
Even with American interest peaking, there’s a significant wildcard in the mix: the Chinese government. Any potential deal involving ByteDance must receive a green light from Beijing, and so far, there’s no clear indication that approval is guaranteed.
Adding to the tension, ByteDance hasn’t publicly shown any willingness to fully let go of TikTok—or even significantly reduce its ownership, a key requirement under the U.S. TikTok ban law.
This TikTok extension doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Just days before the announcement, Trump unveiled a bold new round of tariffs, slapping a 34% tax on goods imported from China. The move is part of his wider “reciprocal trade” policy and could complicate negotiations.
Still, in his Truth Social post, Trump hinted that there’s wiggle room: “We hope to continue working in good faith with China… This proves that tariffs are the most powerful economic tool for national security. We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark.’”
The former president also suggested he’d be open to easing tariffs if it helps get a TikTok deal across the finish line.
China Fires Back with Tariff Retaliation
Not one to sit idle, Beijing fired back just hours after Trump’s announcement, imposing its own 34% tariff on all U.S. imports—a tit-for-tat response that underlines the fragility of ongoing trade and tech negotiations.
This escalation adds yet another layer of complexity to the TikTok situation, raising questions about whether the app will ultimately be saved—or become a casualty of broader geopolitical tensions.
What’s Next for TikTok?
For now, TikTok gets to keep running in the U.S., but the future remains uncertain. The next 75 days are critical. Whether a deal is reached, blocked, or stalls out entirely will depend on a complex blend of investor interest, international politics, and regulatory approvals.
One thing’s for sure: TikTok isn’t just a social media app anymore. It’s become a flashpoint in the global tech tug-of-war, with billions of dollars—and the attention of millions of users—hanging in the balance.