Trump extends deadline for TikTok to find a buyer in the United States again

The president Donald Trump will sign a new executive order that will extend by 90 days the deadline for TikTok to complete its sale to a company not linked to China.

This will allow the application, used by over 170 million people in the United States, to continue operating in the country while a potential transaction is negotiated.

The decision, announced by the White House on Tuesday, comes in response to legislation passed by Congress and supported by the Supreme Court, which prohibits TikTok in U.S. territory unless its parent company, ByteDance, relinquishes control of the platform to a buyer deemed safe by the authorities.

"As she has stated on numerous occasions, President Trump does not want TikTok to disappear," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed.

According to the official, "this extension will last 90 days, and the Administration will work to ensure the agreement is finalized so that Americans can continue using TikTok with the assurance that their data is secure."

The federal law that restricts the operation of TikTok in the United States was driven by concerns over national security, amid fears that the Chinese government could access personal data of American citizens through ByteDance.

The legislation was approved in 2024 with bipartisan support, amidst a backdrop of intense technological and trade tensions with China.

This is not the first time that Trump has decided to extend the deadline to allow for a possible sale.

In April, he granted an additional 75 days beyond the original deadline, noting at that time that his administration was working to achieve "an agreement to save TikTok" and that the process required "more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed."

On Tuesday, the president referred to China’s involvement in the divestment process. "I would probably have to get approval from China, but I think we will get it. I believe President Xi will ultimately approve it," Trump said.

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain as negotiations continue.

Among the companies interested in acquiring the U.S. operations of the app are Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and Blackstone, although no offer has been officially accepted.

According to reports, Amazon recently submitted a formal proposal to government officials, but this has not been confirmed or responded to by the White House.

Trump has suggested that a possible solution could involve the creation of a joint venture in which the United States would hold a 50% stake, although it has not been disclosed whether this idea is formally progressing as part of the negotiations.

Meanwhile, TikTok has already begun to face technical restrictions: the app has been removed from the Apple App Store in the United States, limiting access to new downloads and updates.

The president has reiterated his intention to prevent the platform from disappearing, and to find a solution that ensures both data security and the continuity of the service for millions of users, content creators, and small businesses that rely on the application.

The final decision will depend on the outcome of negotiations between ByteDance and potential American buyers under the new 90-day timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Sale of TikTok in the United States