“Trump Signs Executive Order to Extend TikTok Deal, Staving Off Ban”
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is extending TikTok’s operations in the U.S. for another 75 days through an executive order. This move allows more time for negotiations to transfer the popular social media platform under American ownership. The White House was close to finalizing a deal where TikTok’s operations would be separated into a new U.S.-based company majority-owned by American investors, with China’s ByteDance holding a minority stake.
However, the deal hit a snag when China expressed concerns following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. ByteDance indicated to the White House that China would not approve the deal until trade and tariff negotiations were discussed. To navigate the delicate situation, Trump unilaterally extended the deadline for TikTok’s divestiture or potential ban on national security grounds.
While various U.S. businesses have been exploring investment opportunities in TikTok, ByteDance has maintained the platform is not for sale. Despite these challenges, Trump remains optimistic about reaching an agreement during the extended 75-day period. The administration had been working diligently on the deal, with Vice President JD Vance’s team engaging in negotiations with potential investors and ByteDance officials.
Given the complexity of the situation and the evolving nature of the negotiations, Trump decided to sign an executive order to buy more time for the deal to be finalized. Both TikTok and China are committed to finding a resolution, but key matters still need to be addressed and any agreement will need approval under Chinese law. The future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance as the parties work towards a solution.
The delay of the ban on the popular social video app, TikTok, by President Trump is the second time he has temporarily blocked the 2024 law that aimed to prohibit the app after the deadline for ByteDance to divest had passed. The bipartisan law was supported by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court for national security reasons. Concerns persist if ByteDance retains control of TikTok’s algorithm, as it is a company from a foreign nation that could potentially misuse the data.
Chris Pierson, CEO of BlackCloak, a cybersecurity and privacy platform, highlighted the importance of data and algorithm control. He emphasized that if these aspects remain unchanged, the risks associated with TikTok also remain. President Trump’s executive orders have resulted in numerous lawsuits, with the delay of the TikTok ban being one of the less contested actions.
The law allows for a 90-day reprieve if a deal is in progress and Congress is notified formally. However, Trump’s actions have been deemed as non-compliance with the law by legal experts. Despite the extension, national security risks are still present with TikTok, according to observers like Vitus Spehar.
The decision to extend the ban has sparked mixed reactions among Americans, with opinions divided on the matter. A Pew Research Center survey showed a decline in support for a TikTok ban, with concerns over data security being a significant factor for those in favor of a ban.
Content creators like Terrell Wade, who have a significant following on TikTok, expressed relief at the extension but also shared exhaustion at the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ban. The continual back-and-forth has made it challenging for creators to focus on their content and growth on the platform.
It’s seen as a minimal threat rather than a serious concern. This doesn’t mean I’m dismissing it, but it’s challenging to consistently respond with the same level of urgency each time. He maintains an active presence on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, as well as TikTok. “I’m really hoping for clearer information soon so that creators like myself and consumers can shift our focus to other matters instead of dwelling on uncertainties,” he expressed.——This story includes contributions from AP Business Writer Mae Anderson based in New York.
