Trump Grants Second Deadline Extension for TikTok Amid Ongoing Negotiations

US President Donald Trump has granted a second 75-day extension to TikTok, allowing the app more time to comply with a law that mandates its US operations be sold or face a ban. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, must be sold under a bipartisan law passed last year due to national security concerns, especially regarding potential Chinese surveillance and political manipulation. ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions with the US government but noted that an agreement still needs to be finalized and must gain approval under Chinese law.

Trump emphasized that the US does not want TikTok to ‘go dark’ and is working with China to reach a solution. Talks were reportedly close to completion but were disrupted after Trump announced global tariffs, prompting China to withdraw support for the deal unless trade negotiations were included. Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute bid to purchase TikTok, alongside other contenders such as Frank McCourt, Kevin O’Leary, Alexis Ohanian, Microsoft, Blackstone, Andreessen Horowitz, and Perplexity AI.

The Trump administration is coordinating efforts to secure a buyer, led by Vice-President JD Vance. Trump hinted at a potential deal that includes tariff relief for China in exchange for its approval of the TikTok sale. As the deadline looms, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain.