President Donald Trump has once more extended the TikTok divestment extension, pushing the deadline by 90 days, according to the White House. This marks the third deferral of the 2024 law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. assets.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the decision on Tuesday: “As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark.
This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”
Why the Deadline Was Shifted Again
A proposed deal for TikTok’s sale became entangled in new U.S.–China trade frictions earlier this year.
- Just ahead of the April 5 deadline, Beijing intervened, halting the agreement after Washington imposed reciprocal tariffs, as confirmed by a source familiar with the talks.
- The move reflected mounting geopolitical pushback: “Beijing called ByteDance … and ordered it to pause the deal.”
As a result, the TikTok divestment extension was once again deemed necessary.
Republican lawmakers have expressed growing frustration at the continued extensions. “We voted that it should be banned, and I look forward to the day that they can’t continue to propagate Chinese talking points,” said Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Tuesday before the extension was announced.
Many lawmakers are reluctant to publicly challenge the president. However, Rep. John Moolenaar (R‑Mich.), chair of the House select committee on China, is among the few to speak out, stating in March that only a complete divestment from Beijing would suffice.
What Happens Next?
- 90‑day countdown: The clock restarts today, giving all parties until approximately mid‑September to finalise a sale.
- Key goals: Any deal must guarantee U.S. ownership of TikTok’s domestic operations and robust data security safeguards.
- Watchpoints:
- Will ByteDance secure Beijing’s go‑ahead soon?
- Can U.S. regulators and lawmakers strike an agreement that satisfies national security concerns?
Trump’s latest move offers breathing space — but as the TikTok divestment extension nears its new deadline, pressure on both Beijing and Washington will escalate. The coming weeks could determine whether TikTok remains within U.S. digital life or disappears from American app stores.
