President Donald Trump indicated early Tuesday that his administration will likely grant a third extension to TikTok, allowing the popular video-sharing platform to delay its required divestment from Chinese parent company ByteDance and avoid a U.S. ban — at least for now.
When asked aboard Air Force One whether he would issue another reprieve for TikTok, Trump responded, “Probably, yeah,” signaling a continuation of his administration’s attempt to keep the app operating in the U.S. while also pressuring China in broader trade talks.
“Probably have to get China approval, but I think we’ll get it,” the president said during his return from the Group of Seven summit in Canada. “I think President Xi [Jinping] will ultimately approve it.”
The future of TikTok in the U.S. has been uncertain for over a year, ever since Congress passed bipartisan legislation mandating that ByteDance either sell the app to a U.S.-approved buyer or face a nationwide ban. The law, signed in 2024, originally set a divestment deadline of January 19, 2025.
Just days before that deadline, the Supreme Court upheld the law, triggering a temporary blackout of the app in U.S. app stores and on some networks. But the final decision on enforcement was left to the incoming administration. On his first day back in office, President Trump issued a 75-day extension, citing the need to pursue a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating while addressing national security concerns.
Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on saving TikTok, has portrayed himself as uniquely positioned to broker a deal — one that protects user data while keeping the popular app, used by millions of Americans, especially young voters, available in the U.S.
“I said we’re going to fix it. We’re not banning it, we’re going to make it better,” Trump said during a campaign rally earlier this year.
In April, the White House appeared to be close to finalizing a deal that would involve a consortium of American investors taking control of TikTok’s U.S. operations. But that agreement stalled after Trump unveiled a sweeping package of “reciprocal” tariffs on Chinese imports — a move that triggered retaliation from Beijing and soured ongoing trade talks.
The renewed trade tensions have complicated the TikTok deal, which now seems increasingly entangled in broader U.S.-China economic negotiations.
With the second extension set to expire on June 19, time is running short for TikTok to either divest or secure another reprieve. But based on Trump’s latest remarks, another 75-day delay appears imminent — a move that would kick the decision further down the road, possibly into the fall.
As of Tuesday, TikTok continues to operate normally in the U.S., though uncertainty around its long-term future remains. Analysts say the prolonged saga reflects both the app’s political significance and the complex dynamics of U.S.-China tech competition.
“TikTok has become a symbol in a much larger struggle over data, digital sovereignty, and control of emerging technology,” said Mira Kaplan, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic Innovation. “What started as a national security issue is now deeply tied to trade and geopolitics.”
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