Trump may extend TikTok deadline because of his “sweet spot”

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Donald Trump has said he’s willing to give TikTok more time to sort out its ownership issues in the US, extending the June 19 deadline if needed. 

TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance and has about 170 million American users. However, ByteDance must sell TikTok’s US operations or the app could be banned. 

Trump has already delayed enforcing this rule twice, once in January and again in April, and now says he might do it again.

Trump made these comments during an interview with NBC News, recorded at his Florida estate and aired nationally. 

He shared that he feels positively about TikTok because it helped him connect with young voters during the 2024 presidential election. 

He said he wants TikTok to continue, but under conditions that ensure it’s safe for Americans.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” he added. (Via: Tech Crunch) 

There had been plans to create a new US-based company that would take over TikTok’s American operations, mostly owned and managed by US investors. 

However, those plans stalled after China objected, especially after Trump announced high tariffs, up to 145%, on Chinese goods. These tariffs have hurt China’s economy, and Trump claimed China now wants to make a deal.

Trump also stated that he’s not willing to reduce the tariffs just to get China to agree on TikTok, but he might lower them later as part of a bigger agreement between the two countries.

Some Democratic senators are pushing back, saying Trump doesn’t actually have the legal power to keep extending the deadline or approve a deal that doesn’t meet US legal standards.

Despite the uncertainty, people involved with TikTok’s US investors say they’re still working on a possible deal before the June 19 deadline.

But it likely depends on how the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China play out.

Do you think TikTok will shut down in the US? Or do you expect a different resolution to this issue? Tell us your opinions and predictions below in the comments, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.