US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he will likely give more time to China-based ByteDance to sell its US operations of video app TikTok. Trump had mentioned in May that he was open to pushing the June 19 deadline, especially after the app helped him gain support from young voters during the 2024 election. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump reiterated that he is considering the extension yet again. He also suggested that approval from China might be needed but believed that Chinese President Xi would eventually agree to the deal.
“Probably, yeah,” Trump said when asked if he would extend the deadline. “Probably have to get China approval but I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it,” he added.
During his first term, Trump wanted to ban TikTok. But during the 2024 election, he changed his view, saying the app helps balance the power of Meta. Trump has had a tense relationship with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who suspended him from the platforms after the January 6 Capitol attack. In response, Trump later said he would jail Zuckerberg. In January, Meta agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit that Trump had filed over the suspension.
The deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations comes as the US and China continue to negotiate a new trade deal. This follows Trump’s earlier decision to raise tariffs on Chinese goods, which he later paused.
China was reportedly ready to approve a TikTok deal but changed its mind after Trump announced the new tariffs in April. Trump has said any sale of TikTok would likely happen only after the US and China reach a trade agreement.
Earlier, under President Biden, ByteDance had said it had no plans to sell TikTok. But in April, the company confirmed that it had started talking with the Trump administration to find a solution for its U.S. business. ByteDance also said any deal would need China’s approval.
