On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an extension until September 17, allowing ByteDance more time to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, which would otherwise face a mandatory sale or shutdown due to lack of significant progress. This decision came via an executive order granting a 90-day deadline extension, a move Trump had previously indicated.
The president had previously given two extensions regarding enforcing the law that required TikTok’s sale or closure, originally set to be enforced this past January if a sale had not advanced sufficiently. Trump aims to maintain the app’s operation in the U.S., recognizing its influence in boosting support among younger voters during the 2024 presidential election.
Trump remains hopeful that Chinese President Xi Jinping will consent to a deal securing TikTok’s presence, though the extent to which this issue figures in the U.S.-China tariff discussions remains uncertain. Meanwhile, TikTok has affirmed its ongoing collaboration with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s office to address the situation.
