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US President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension to comply with a law that mandates the popular video app either sell its US operations or face a ban in the country.
"We do not want TikTok to 'go dark'," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal." The platform, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been under scrutiny for security concerns.
Trump’s first extension, granted when he took office in January, was set to expire on Saturday. The law, passed by Congress, gives TikTok six months to sell its US operations, or the app will be blocked in the country. TikTok claims over 170 million users in the US.
ByteDance confirmed discussions with the Trump administration but noted that "an agreement has not been executed" and that Chinese law would need to approve any deal.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration had raised concerns that TikTok could be used by China for espionage and political manipulation. Congress passed a law last year that required ByteDance to sell its controlling stake in TikTok within six months.
Opponents of the ban argue it infringes on freedom of speech. The latest extension comes as the Trump administration works to secure an agreement to bring TikTok under US ownership.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that "the deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed." A deal was reportedly close to finalization on Wednesday but fell apart after Trump announced new global tariffs, including on China.
ByteDance informed the White House that China would not approve the deal unless tariff negotiations occurred, a source told CBS News. The deal, which had received approval from investors, ByteDance, and the US government, was expected to proceed with a 120-day period for completing paperwork and securing financing, but China's opposition to the tariffs caused the deal to collapse.
The Chinese embassy in Washington DC stated that it opposed practices violating market economy principles. China faces a 54% tariff on goods imported into the US, while it has retaliated with 34% counter tariffs.
Several potential buyers for TikTok have emerged, including Amazon, billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Microsoft, Blackstone, Andreessen Horowitz, and Perplexity AI. Trump confirmed that his administration is in talks with four separate groups interested in purchasing TikTok, though he did not name them.
Vice-President JD Vance is leading the effort to find a buyer. Trump has suggested the US could offer a deal where China approves a TikTok sale in exchange for relief from US tariffs.
"We hope to continue working in good faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs," Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing the importance of trade levies for national security.
