Trump Gives TikTok More Time to Stay in the U.S. as Talks Continue – BBC Reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has given TikTok another 75 days to stay active in the U.S., according to a report by the BBC. This extension gives the Chinese-owned app more time to either sell its U.S. operations or risk being banned completely from the country.
Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, “We do not want TikTok to go dark.” He added that his team looks forward to working with both TikTok and China to finalize a deal that would allow the app to continue operating in the United States. The app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has more than 170 million users in the U.S., according to the BBC.
What’s the Problem?
The issue started when concerns were raised—especially under former President Joe Biden—that TikTok could be used by China to spy on Americans or spread political messages. Because of this, Congress passed a law in 2023 requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business or face a ban. The law gave the company six months to find a buyer, but that time is running out.
According to the BBC, this is Trump’s second extension since he returned to office. The first extension was about to expire when he gave this new 75-day deadline.
What’s Holding Up the Deal?
ByteDance said it is still talking with the Trump administration but has not reached a final agreement. A spokesperson told BBC that some important issues remain, and any final deal would also need to be approved by the Chinese government.
A major twist came when Trump recently announced new global tariffs, including high import taxes on goods from China. After that, Chinese officials pulled back from the TikTok deal, according to a report from CBS News, which partners with BBC in the U.S. They said China refused to approve the sale unless the U.S. agreed to talk about the new tariffs.
Possible Buyers for TikTok
The BBC reports that several companies are interested in buying TikTok’s U.S. business. Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute offer, though the company hasn’t commented. Other bidders include:
- Billionaire Frank McCourt and Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary
- Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian
- Tech giant Microsoft
- Investment firms like Blackstone and Andreessen Horowitz
- Even AI startup Perplexity AI
Trump mentioned his administration is in talks with four different groups, though he didn’t name them. Vice-President JD Vance is leading the efforts to find the best buyer.
A Deal in Exchange for Tariff Relief?
Trump hinted that the U.S. could make a deal with China: if China allows TikTok to be sold, the U.S. might reduce some of the new import taxes. On Truth Social, he said the tariffs are a “powerful economic tool” and important for national security.
The BBC notes that China is now facing 54% tariffs on goods it sends to the U.S., and it has hit back with 34% in return tariffs. This trade fight makes the TikTok sale even more complicated.
Unique Perspective:
This situation is not just about a popular app; it’s about tech, trade, and trust between two of the world’s biggest economies. As BBC reports, Trump is trying to walk a fine line—protecting national security, while also keeping a widely loved platform like TikTok available for millions of young Americans.
From a user’s point of view, this is about more than just videos—it’s about freedom of expression, jobs, and a changing digital world. With big tech players lining up to buy TikTok and global politics in the mix, this is one of the most watched business stories of the year.
Credit: BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx256dd1znpo