ISLAMABAD: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer by another 90 days, pushing the new cut-off to September 17, 2025.
This is the third extension granted by Trump, who signed the executive order on Thursday and shared the update via his Truth Social account.
The original law requiring a sale or ban of TikTok, citing national security risks, was set to take effect a day before Trump’s return to office.
Despite previously advocating for the platform’s divestment, Trump has since softened his stance, stating he holds a “warm spot” for the video-sharing app.
In early May, he indicated willingness to grant more time if needed, recognizing TikTok’s role in connecting with young voters during his 2024 campaign.
National Security, Business Interests Collide
TikTok welcomed the extension, expressing appreciation for Trump’s leadership and support for its 170 million U.S. users.
ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has confirmed ongoing talks with U.S. authorities regarding a potential divestiture.
Trump previously suggested that American investors were ready to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations, a deal he believes would safeguard American data.
However, ByteDance must navigate both American legal hurdles and Chinese government approval before proceeding with any sale.
Potential buyers include Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone.
Oracle already manages TikTok’s U.S. data infrastructure, and its chairman, Larry Ellison, is a known Trump supporter.
Algorithm, Influence, and Global Stakes
Analysts warn that TikTok’s core algorithm is a central issue.
Stripping it from the deal would dramatically reduce the platform’s value and functionality.
“TikTok without its algorithm is like Harry Potter without his wand,” said Forrester analyst Kelsey Chickering.
Shweta Singh, an academic at Warwick Business School, described TikTok as a flashpoint in the ongoing U.S.-China digital rivalry—a key symbol of the new tech Cold War.
Despite regulatory uncertainty, TikTok has maintained business momentum.
This week, it unveiled “Symphony,” a new suite of AI-powered tools to help advertisers create video content more efficiently.
While critics claim Trump has deprioritized the TikTok matter, analysts say unless provoked, he’s unlikely to pursue aggressive action.
The coming months will determine whether a deal materializes—or if TikTok faces removal from the U.S. app landscape.
