U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled he’s open to extending the June 19 deadline for ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to sell off its U.S. operations. The move comes amid ongoing tensions over trade and national security issues.
Originally, ByteDance was supposed to divest TikTok’s American assets by January 19, as mandated by legislation. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has already pushed that deadline back twice—first to early April, then to June 19. Now, he’s suggesting another extension could be possible if a deal hasn’t been finalised. In a May 4 interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump said, “I’d like to see it done… TikTok will be protected, very strongly protected. But if it needs more time, I’d be willing to give it. Maybe it won’t need it
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. is largely due to both legal hurdles and diplomatic tensions. While there have been talks about shifting TikTok’s American operations to a U.S.-controlled entity, progress has stalled—mainly because Beijing has been hesitant to approve such a move, especially following President Trump’s recent escalation of tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump has claimed these tariffs—some as high as 145%—are putting economic pressure on China, pushing them toward negotiations.
However, not everyone supports Trump’s readiness to grant TikTok more time. Some legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers question whether he has the authority to delay enforcement of a law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court. Even if a deal is eventually reached, it’s unclear whether it would meet national security standards. U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses risks related to surveillance and influence, especially since ByteDance is legally required under Chinese law to share data with the government if asked.
Trump’s current stance is notably softer than it was during his first term, when he pushed aggressively to ban TikTok. This shift may be politically motivated. The app has become increasingly popular, particularly with younger Americans. TikTok’s U.S. user base jumped from 150 million to 170 million between early 2023 and 2024, and Pew Research found that about one-third of American adults have used it. Trump has acknowledged the app’s growing role in his political appeal, especially among younger voters.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. is largely due to both legal hurdles and diplomatic tensions. While there have been talks about shifting TikTok’s American operations to a U.S.-controlled entity, progress has stalled—mainly because Beijing has been hesitant to approve such a move, especially following President Trump’s recent escalation of tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump has claimed these tariffs—some as high as 145%—are putting economic pressure on China, pushing them toward negotiations.
However, not everyone supports Trump’s readiness to grant TikTok more time. Some legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers question whether he has the authority to delay enforcement of a law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court. Even if a deal is eventually reached, it’s unclear whether it would meet national security standards. U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses risks related to surveillance and influence, especially since ByteDance is legally required under Chinese law to share data with the government if asked.
Trump’s current stance is notably softer than it was during his first term, when he pushed aggressively to ban TikTok. This shift may be politically motivated. The app has become increasingly popular, particularly with younger Americans. TikTok’s U.S. user base jumped from 150 million to 170 million between early 2023 and 2024, and Pew Research found that about one-third of American adults have used it. Trump has acknowledged the app’s growing role in his political appeal, especially among younger voters. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I have a soft spot for TikTok,” he remarked. “It’s very interesting, and it will be protected.”
