• Source:JND
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In a major twist, US President Donald Trump has signed an updated executive order giving TikTok an additional 90 days to continue operating in the United States, delaying the divestment deadline to September 17, 2025. The short-form video app owned by Chinese technology firm ByteDance was originally bound to be prohibited under a law enacted in 2024 unless its US presence was sold or substantially divested. Trump announced on his social media website, Truth Social, on Thursday morning, said, "I've just signed the Executive Order extending the Deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days (September 17, 2025). Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

What's At Stake?

The delay marks the third extension granted by President Trump since the law took effect earlier this year. The 2024 legislation requires ByteDance to divest its US assets of TikTok or risk a complete ban on the app. The initial deadline was January 19, 2025, but was initially extended to April, then June 19, and now mid-September. The White House attributed the delay as the result of ongoing negotiations and legal issues. "It's more time; more time to make a good deal," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing. The Department of Justice and White House lawyers felt the extension had solid legal footing, she said.

Trump made it clear that he is ready to make a deal that keeps TikTok up and running for its 170 million American users, particularly young demographics who support him in the 2024 presidential election. "I probably have to get China's approval, but I think we're gonna get it. I think President Xi will finally approve it," Trump said to reporters on board Air Force One earlier this week. Trump also implied that a more comprehensive economic agreement with Beijing, with lower tariffs on Chinese imports, could lead the way to resolving the issue of TikTok.

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But negotiations were halted in spring after China signaled resistance to approving the proposed US-based spin-off of TikTok. TikTok welcomed the executive order, saying the company is still working closely with US authorities to address national security and data privacy concerns. “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available,” the company said in an official statement. It also confirmed that it is in ongoing discussions with Vice President JD Vance’s office regarding the path forward.

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The coming three months will determine the fate of TikTok in the US. The White House has indicated that it will take these three months to complete a deal with conditions for American ownership, tighter data protection, and less Chinese regulatory control. For the time being, TikTok is still up and running, but the countdown continues.

With inputs from agency.