Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, has given TikTok’s U.S. sale an additional 75 days, which indicates a willingness to give more time for negotiations between the Chinese-owned app and potential American investors. The move indicates Trump’s changing tone since he previously said that he would like to work with TikTok and Chinese parties to come up with a mutually advantageous deal.
The widely popular video-sharing platform has come under mounting pressure from U.S. politicians over national security and data privacy issues. Pressed by demands to shed its Chinese owner ByteDance, TikTok has been engaged in negotiations with several American companies, including Oracle and Walmart, for a merger or partnership as a possible answer to regulatory requirements.
Trump’s extension offers a temporary reprieve, giving all parties involved more time to finalize deal structures and compliance measures. “We want TikTok to stay in the U.S., but in a way that’s safe for our people,” Trump said. “We’re working closely with China and the companies involved to get it right.”
The decision has been received with mixed reactions, with some lauding the diplomatic move and others expressing concern about national security delays. As the new deadline looms, the international tech and business communities will be closely monitoring to determine if TikTok’s future in the U.S. is safe—or left hanging in limbo.
