Former President Donald Trump has indicated he may approve a third extension for the U.S. TikTok ban deadline, should no agreement be reached to transfer the app’s American operations by June 19.
In a recent interview, Trump said he’s open to finding a solution that ensures TikTok remains operational in the U.S., emphasizing he doesn’t intend to use the platform as a pressure point in trade talks with China — although he admitted it could play a role in broader tariff negotiations. “TikTok is — it’s very interesting, but it will be protected,” he said, also noting the platform’s role in boosting his popularity with younger voters.
Under current U.S. law, TikTok must shift to American ownership, with U.S. user data routed through Oracle and the platform overseen by a domestic consortium. However, ongoing negotiations with ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, remain at a stalemate.
Amid heightened U.S.–China tensions, TikTok continues to be viewed as both a national security concern and a potential bargaining chip in economic diplomacy.
