Former U.S. President and leading Republican figure Donald Trump has indicated he would consider extending the looming June 19 deadline for TikTok’s divestment from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, if a sale agreement is not finalized in time.
Speaking at a campaign event over the weekend, Trump acknowledged the complexities surrounding the ongoing negotiations and said he is “open to allowing more time” should a prospective deal remain incomplete by the set date. The statement marks a notable shift in tone amid heightened pressure on lawmakers and tech executives to resolve national security concerns linked to the app.
“If a deal isn’t done by June 19, we’ll look at an extension,” Trump said. “We want to make the right decision for American users, for national security, and for fairness in business.”
The Biden administration had initially pursued a similar course in 2024, when bipartisan legislation authorized a forced divestment or nationwide ban on TikTok, citing fears that the platform could be used by Beijing to collect data on U.S. citizens or influence public discourse. Trump, who previously attempted to ban the app during his presidency, has revived the issue as part of his broader 2025 campaign platform focused on tech regulation and U.S.-China relations.
TikTok, which boasts over 150 million users in the United States, has consistently denied allegations of data sharing with the Chinese government and is reportedly in talks with multiple American firms about a potential acquisition.
Industry analysts say a deadline extension could ease market tensions and provide a buffer for stakeholders to negotiate terms that satisfy U.S. regulators while maintaining the platform’s functionality and user base.
However, critics argue that delaying action may weaken the government’s leverage and risk sending mixed signals to other foreign-owned tech platforms operating in the U.S.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether ByteDance can strike a deal or whether Trump’s flexibility will offer TikTok a temporary lifeline.
source: cgtn.com