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The president Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Thursday that extends the deadline by 90 days for the Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American buyer, delaying the threat of banning the popular social network until September 17, 2025.
"I have just signed the Executive Order that extends the deadline for the closure of TikTok by 90 days. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" wrote the president on his Truth Social account, confirming the third extension granted to ByteDance since he took office for his second term in January.
The president's decision marks a significant shift in his social media policy compared to his first term, when he unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok in the country.
On this occasion, he stated that he does not wish to eliminate the application, used by over 170 million people in the United States, but rather to ensure that users' data is protected from potential unauthorized access from China.
The mandatory sale of TikTok was ordered under a national security law passed during Joe Biden's administration, which conditioned its continuation in the U.S. on the transfer of its ownership to a U.S.-based company.
Although ByteDance has expressed its disagreement with the measure and denied that its users' data is at risk, it is legally obligated to proceed with the sale.
Despite the interest from several companies —including Amazon, Perplexity AI, and a consortium led by investor Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian— no agreement has been reached.
Sources close to the negotiations claim that the recent tariff increases on China have hampered the efforts.
In statements to the press, Trump suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping would need to approve the sale and expressed confidence that "an agreement can be reached." So far, ByteDance has not issued any official comments.
Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the White House, confirmed that the extension aims to provide more time for negotiations and allow the app to continue functioning in the country. “President Trump wants Americans to be able to use TikTok safely,” she stated.
The decision comes amid a political climate characterized by increasing confrontation with China and a regulatory offensive against foreign tech companies.
The U.S. Supreme Court had already upheld the legality of the law that ties TikTok's continued operation to its sale, putting pressure on ByteDance to make a definitive decision.
For a brief period at the beginning of the year, TikTok stopped functioning in the U.S. while the effects of the law were being assessed. However, following Trump's inauguration and his commitment to preserve the platform, the app was reinstated, albeit under strict government surveillance.
With this new extension, the future of TikTok in the United States is once again in the hands of trade and political negotiations.
If an agreement is not reached before September 17, the White House could reactivate procedures to block access to the app in U.S. territory.
Meanwhile, competition in the social media market is intensifying. Alternatives like RedNote —another platform of Chinese origin— have temporarily captured the attention of some users, although many have returned to TikTok after the temporary lifting of the ban.
Frequently asked questions about the possible ban of TikTok in the U.S.
Why did Donald Trump extend the deadline for the sale of TikTok?
Donald Trump extended the deadline for the sale of TikTok by 90 days to allow more time for negotiations and to ensure that the data of U.S. users is protected from potential access from China. This extension aims to ensure that TikTok continues to operate in the U.S. while a sale to an American company is finalized.
What will happen if TikTok is not sold before September 17, 2025?
If TikTok is not sold before September 17, 2025, the White House may reactivate procedures to block access to the app in U.S. territory. This is due to the national security law that makes its continued existence conditional on its transfer to a buyer based in the U.S.
Why does the U.S. government consider TikTok a threat to national security?
The U.S. government views TikTok as a threat to national security because it is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company, and there is a fear that the Chinese government could access the personal data of American citizens. This concern has led to the enactment of laws aimed at severing TikTok from its Chinese parent company.
Which companies are interested in buying TikTok?
Among the companies interested in buying TikTok are Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and a consortium led by Frank McCourt and Alexis Ohanian. So far, no definitive agreement has been reached, and one of the obstacles has been the increase in tariffs on China, which has complicated negotiations.
How has China reacted to the potential sale of TikTok?
China has maintained a cautious stance regarding the sale of TikTok, and president Xi Jinping's approval is likely to be necessary for any sale agreement. The Chinese government may view this sale as political and economic pressure from the U.S.
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