In a move that has sparked widespread discussion across the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 4, 2025, delaying the enforcement of a TikTok ban by an additional 75 days. This decision, which pushes the deadline to June 19, 2025, comes as part of ongoing efforts to broker a deal that would allow the popular social media platform to continue operating in the U.S. under American ownership. The announcement has reignited debates about national security, trade relations with China, and the role of social media in American life.
A Second Reprieve for TikTok
The executive order marks the second time President Trump has postponed the enforcement of a law aimed at banning TikTok in the United States. The law, known as the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was passed with bipartisan support in 2023 and set to take effect on January 19, 2025. It requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban due to concerns over national security and data privacy.
On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, Trump signed an initial executive order delaying the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue operating until April 5. This gave the administration time to negotiate a potential sale. However, as the April deadline approached, talks with potential U.S. buyers, including companies like Walmart and Amazon, hit roadblocks, largely due to tensions over Trump’s trade policies, particularly his imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports. With no deal finalized, Trump announced the second 75-day extension, citing “tremendous progress” in negotiations but acknowledging that more time was needed to secure necessary approvals.
According to a statement from ByteDance, “An agreement has not been executed. There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law.” This highlights the complexity of the negotiations, which involve not only U.S. and Chinese companies but also the Chinese government, which must approve any deal.
Why the Delay?
The decision to delay the TikTok ban reflects a delicate balancing act. On one hand, the U.S. government has raised concerns about ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government, arguing that TikTok’s access to data from its 170 million American users could pose a national security risk. On the other hand, TikTok remains a cultural juggernaut, especially among younger Americans, and its potential ban has sparked backlash from users and content creators who rely on the platform for entertainment, self-expression, and income.
President Trump has acknowledged TikTok’s popularity, particularly among young voters. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press on May 5, 2025, he said, “I’d like to see it done, I have a little sweet spot in my heart because I won young people by 36 points… and I focused on TikTok.” This suggests that political considerations may be influencing his approach, as TikTok’s user base played a significant role in his 2024 election campaign.
The delay also ties into broader U.S.-China trade dynamics. Trump’s recent tariffs on Chinese goods, announced on April 2, 2025, have complicated negotiations. According to Reuters, China has put a potential TikTok deal on hold in response to these tariffs, which include a 10% levy on most goods entering the U.S. Trump has indicated that he may consider reducing tariffs to facilitate a deal, stating, “We have a deal for TikTok, but it’ll be subject to China, so we’ll just delay the deal ’til this thing works out one way or the other.”
Legal and Political Controversy
The repeated delays have raised questions about the legality of Trump’s actions. The 2023 law allows the president to grant a one-time 90-day extension to facilitate a sale, but Trump’s decision to issue multiple 75-day delays via executive orders has drawn criticism. Some legal experts argue that these actions amount to a “unilateral non-enforcement declaration” rather than a true extension of the law. In a statement reported by Euronews, legal scholar Rozenshtein noted, “All he’s doing is saying that he will not enforce the law for 75 more days. The law is still in effect.”
Despite these concerns, the executive orders have faced little legal pushback compared to other actions taken by the Trump administration, which has seen over 130 lawsuits filed in its first two months. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have urged Trump to enforce the law, but the lack of significant opposition to the TikTok delays suggests that the platform’s popularity and economic impact may be tempering political resistance.
The Race to Find a Buyer
Several U.S.-based companies have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Walmart, Amazon, Oracle, Applovin, and even OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely have reportedly submitted bids. Walmart, in particular, has been eyeing TikTok since 2020, when it partnered with Microsoft in an earlier attempt to purchase the app. These companies see TikTok’s massive user base and advertising potential as a valuable asset, but negotiations have been hampered by geopolitical tensions and the high financial stakes involved.
The Trump administration, led in part by Vice President JD Vance, has been actively involved in these discussions. However, the Chinese government’s approval remains a significant hurdle, as any deal must comply with China’s export control laws. Trump’s public statements suggest optimism about reaching a resolution, but the repeated delays indicate that a deal is far from certain.
What’s Next for TikTok?
As the new June 19 deadline approaches, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. If no deal is reached, the app could face restrictions or a complete ban, potentially disrupting the lives of millions of users and small businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and revenue. TikTok has already thanked Trump for his efforts, with the company issuing a statement in April saying, “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
For now, TikTok users can breathe a sigh of relief, but the clock is ticking. The next 75 days will be critical in determining whether TikTok can secure a new American owner or face an uncertain future in the U.S. market. As negotiations continue, the outcome will likely have far-reaching implications for U.S.-China relations, the tech industry, and the millions of Americans who have made TikTok a part of their daily lives.
Sources
- CNET: Trump Says He Won’t Take TikTok Away From Americans
- Reuters: TikTok deal put on hold after China objects over tariffs
- PBS News: Trump extends TikTok deadline another 75 days
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