Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Again

A symbol of the Sino-American tug of war, TikTok once again crystallizes tensions between digital sovereignty and trade war. With 170 million users in the United States, the ByteDance app faces a third deadline postponed by Donald Trump. By extending the divestiture deadline, the president revives an explosive case where geopolitical pressure, technological challenges, and legal battles are intertwined. TikTok remains at the heart of a strategic struggle, at the crossroads of economic interests and national security concerns.

TikTok Facing the American Ultimatum : A New Extension Granted by Trump

President Donald Trump announced this Thursday a 90-day extension to allow ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to finalize the sale of its U.S. operations, despite the launch of two revolutionary tools a few months ago.

“I just signed the order extending the TikTok shutdown deadline by 90 days (until September 17, 2025). Thanks for your attention on this matter!” he stated on his platform Truth Social.

This decision marks a strategic shift in Trump’s stance; during his first term, he sought to ban the app outright from U.S. territory.

According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, this extension aims to ensure that “the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure”.

This decision fits into an ongoing restrictive legislative context, inherited from the Biden administration and upheld by the Supreme Court: if TikTok is not sold to an American entity, it will be banned in the United States.

Here is what you need to remember about this new deadline :

• A third extension granted by Trump since his return to the presidency, after an initial 75-day period and then a first extension until June 20 ;
• A new deadline set for September 17, 2025, beyond which TikTok could be banned if no sale is concluded ;
• TikTok claims 170 million users in the U.S. and supports 7.5 million local businesses through its platform ;
• TikTok welcomed the presidential decision in a statement : “we are grateful to President Trump for his leadership and support to ensure TikTok remains accessible”.

STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:

In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…

— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025

This extension offers a respite to negotiations, without resolving the uncertainties surrounding the app’s future. It is a pragmatic maneuver in a case where the stakes are as much technological as they are highly political.

Buyout Candidates and the Uncertainties Surrounding an Agreement

During a press exchange aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump mentioned the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping would need to approve any transaction. “I think Xi will have to approve a deal if a buyer comes forward”, Trump said, emphasizing that the outcome of the process was not solely an American matter.

This statement adds a new geopolitical dimension to an already complex matter, at a time when trade relations between the two powers are once again tense. Several potential candidates have expressed interest, but none have succeeded in finalizing an offer so far.

Amazon reportedly submitted a last-minute offer, as did a consortium led by Frank McCourt, which includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Former U.S. Treasury official Steven Mnuchin is also among the contenders.

Despite clear interest, no transaction has been completed, partly due to the imposition of new tariffs on Chinese products, which have further strained bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, ByteDance remains silent on its actual intentions, after having previously considered selling TikTok to Elon Musk. The Chinese giant’s current strategy seems to be to buy time in hopes that the political or legal situation evolves. In the meantime, the social network remains active, notably thanks to Trump’s decision not to block it “for the time being”.

Several scenarios remain possible. Either ByteDance agrees to sell TikTok, allowing the app to remain in the United States, or it refuses, exposing itself to a ban once the deadline passes. This uncertainty fuels volatility around TikTok, which remains a major influence tool for both creators and brands. If no solution emerges by September 17, an unprecedented legal and diplomatic confrontation could erupt, alongside the trade war between the United States and China.