U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending the deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, pushing it back by 90 days to September 17. The extension comes despite a law requiring the Chinese parent company to either sell the short-video app or shut it down if no substantial progress toward a sale had been made.
Trump’s latest move marks the third time he has delayed enforcement of the law, which originally set a January 19 deadline. The president has said he wants to keep TikTok available in the U.S., noting the platform’s role in engaging young voters during the 2024 election.
“We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available,” the company said in a statement, adding that it is working with Vice President JD Vance’s office on a resolution.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that Trump would sign another executive order this week, she said, “President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark.” Leavitt added the administration will use the additional time to finalise a deal that ensures user data is protected.Trump expressed confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would eventually approve a sale. “Probably have to get China’s approval, but I think we’ll get it,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One earlier this week.
In March, Trump suggested he was open to reducing tariffs on China to help facilitate a deal. A potential agreement to spin off TikTok’s U.S. assets into a domestically controlled firm was under negotiation earlier this year but stalled after China pushed back in response to new U.S. tariffs. While the White House continues to pursue a sale, some Democratic lawmakers have questioned Trump’s authority to keep extending the deadline and argue that the proposed deal may not meet legal standards.