Trump extends TikTok divestment deadline for the third time

In the United States, President Donald Trump extended the deadline for TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the popular video-sharing app for the third time. Originally, the deadline was set to enforce a bipartisan law that required TikTok to fully sever ties with its Chinese owner or face a nationwide ban. This extension allows TikTok more time to negotiate a sale to U.S. interests while alleviating concerns about national security and data privacy for American users. The initial deadline was pushed back by Trump due to complex negotiations and significant trade tensions with China, creating hurdles over tariffs and government approvals. Each extension has coincided with ongoing discussions between ByteDance and the U.S. government, as both parties work to address the major concerns surrounding TikTok's data handling and its alleged ties to the Chinese government. Despite these challenges, Trump has expressed a favorable view toward TikTok, showing hesitation to enforce a ban, which he believes could affect his support among younger voters. Analysts have pointed to this hesitation indicating a shift in his administration's earlier hardline stance against the app. The deadline's repeated extensions highlight not only the complexities of international technology regulation but also the interplay between politics and digital platforms. As the negotiations progressed, the administration faced criticism from various lawmakers who argued that these extensions were undermining the legal framework established by Congress. They warned that continuing to delay enforcement could increase the legal liability for U.S. tech companies that host the app, potentially jeopardizing their operations and relationships with the Chinese market. Furthermore, the situation remains precarious as any deal would require China's approval, which has become increasingly complicated amid broader geopolitical tensions. Despite the uncertainty, TikTok continued to operate without significant disruption, unveiling new tools and features for its users, indicating stability in its business approach during the negotiation phase. The lack of a resolved deal, however, continues to loom large over TikTok's future in the U.S., creating a scenario where the app's ongoing viability depends heavily on the outcome of these diplomatic and corporate negotiations with potential implications for the U.S.-China relationship and the global digital economy.