Trump extends TikTok ban deadline for 75 days

President Donald Trump has prolonged the TikTok ban by 75 days.  On Friday, Trump said on Truth Social that he is issuing an executive order to enable extra time to negotiate a deal. The news comes only one day before the ban was scheduled to go into force.

“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” Trump wrote. "The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."

The action comes only days after Trump proposed sweeping tariffs, including a 34% tax rate on China. Trump has previously said that he may lower tariffs on China to assist a TikTok agreement.

In his post announcing the extension of the TikTok ban deadline, Trump stated: “We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs (Necessary for Fair and Balanced Trade between China and the U.S.A.!). This proves that Tariffs are the most powerful Economic tool, and very important to our National Security! We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark.’ We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump's vow to defer imposing the ban would most likely mean that TikTok's 170 million American users will be able to continue using the popular short-form video app for the foreseeable future.

However, the delay in negotiating a formal agreement raises concerns about the app's long-term prospects.

Despite the additional time and at least a few interested parties that have shown an interest in purchasing TikTok, the Chinese government has given little public indication that it is likely to authorize a sale. And the United States and China are now engaged in an expanding trade battle, with both sides raising tariffs, despite Trump's claim that he would cut duties on Chinese goods if Beijing agreed to a TikTok agreement.

In retaliation for the duties, China said on Friday that it will levy a 34% tariff on all US imports.