During a flight on Air Force One President Donald Trump revealed that he plans to extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operations while negotiations between the parties continue.
Trump announced that any new deadline extension would require Beijing’s approval but he believes President Xi Jinping will grant permission. The current deadline stands at June 19 after previous deadlines were moved from 2024.
The previous election cycle showed TikTok helped Trump gain support from young voters which might affect his current decision.
The White House demands ByteDance to transfer ownership of TikTok’s U.S. operations because of national security concerns. The discussions have become prolonged because of intricate regulatory and geopolitical factors that include changes in Beijing’s technology export policies.
Any final agreement must contain provisions to protect user data while ensuring the operations remain independent from Chinese control. The sale of TikTok assets would enable the platform to continue operating in the U.S. either through new ownership or through partnerships with American businesses.
The situation remains fluid as both governments weigh broader tensions in trade, technology, and national security.
