President Donald Trump has granted a second 75-day extension to Chinese tech giant ByteDance, giving the company more time to finalize the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations. The move, made via executive order, comes as negotiations continue between ByteDance and several American companies vying to acquire the popular video-sharing app.
The extension staves off a potential full-scale ban of TikTok in the United States, where the app has more than 170 million users. Under existing law—originally passed in 2024 during the Biden administration—ByteDance was ordered to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets to an American-controlled firm or face expulsion from U.S. markets. The app was removed from app stores on January 19, 2025, before President Trump took office and immediately issued the first delay to allow for negotiations to proceed.
Now, with the second extension in place, talks are intensifying. Several major American firms have stepped up with acquisition offers, including Oracle, AppLovin, and private equity powerhouses like Andreessen Horowitz and Blackstone. Amazon has also reportedly submitted a late bid, adding more competition to the mix.
Despite interest from U.S. buyers, one major hurdle remains: the Chinese Communist Party must approve any sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets. That complicates the situation, especially as tensions between Washington and Beijing remain high following the rollout of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Under the new tariff structure, Chinese imports are now facing a total of 54% in penalties, up from the previous 20%.
Still, President Trump has signaled flexibility in the name of closing the TikTok deal. “Maybe I’ll give [China] a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done,” he said, hinting at a potential trade concession if the sale aligns with U.S. national security goals.
At the core of the issue is concern over user data and the influence of foreign adversaries on U.S. communications platforms. Trump and his administration have made it clear: TikTok will not be allowed to operate in the U.S. under Chinese ownership. But unlike the Biden-era approach, Trump is balancing national security with a desire to avoid punishing American users and businesses that rely on the platform.
This second extension buys more time for the acquisition process to play out—and for an American company to step in and take control of TikTok’s massive U.S. user base. Trump’s strategy appears to be working: pressure China with tough tariffs, back it up with executive authority, and still leave the door open for a deal that protects American interests.
With negotiations heating up and the deadline clock ticking, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain—but for now, it’s still in play. And thanks to Trump’s tough but pragmatic leadership, the path to a pro-American outcome is still wide open.