Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Deal Talks with China

Post by :

Photo:Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again pushed back the deadline for the popular video app TikTok to remain active in America. The new date has been set for December 16, 2025, giving both sides more time to complete a possible deal.

This marks the fourth time President Trump has extended the deadline, even though a law passed earlier required TikTok to sell its U.S. operations to an American company or face a complete ban. The original date was January 19, 2025 — just a day before Trump began his second term as President.

A Deal in Progress

Trump announced earlier this week that his administration and the Chinese government had reached a “basic framework” for an agreement. He said he plans to speak with China’s President Xi Jinping about it in the coming days.

According to officials, the framework came out of talks in Madrid between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Both sides agreed on a path forward that could allow TikTok to keep operating in America while transferring ownership of its U.S. assets to an American-based company.

Chinese trade representative Li Chenggang also confirmed that both countries had reached a common understanding on TikTok and promised to work together on reducing barriers for future investments and promoting smoother economic ties.

Trump’s Personal View on TikTok

President Trump admitted that while security risks remain a concern, he does not want to see TikTok disappear from the U.S. market. He also noted that TikTok had played a role in helping him connect with younger voters during the 2024 election.

“I hate to see value like that thrown out the window,” Trump said before leaving Washington with First Lady Melania Trump for his official state visit to the United Kingdom.

Who Will Buy TikTok?

Trump hinted that several American companies are interested in buying TikTok’s U.S. operations, but he did not provide names. Some reports suggest that Oracle could be one of the leading firms in the race, though no official confirmation has been made yet.

The idea behind the deal is to keep TikTok’s user base and operations in America, while cutting off direct control from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

Concerns and Criticism

Not everyone is convinced this deal is a real win. Some experts believe TikTok’s appeal has already started to fade. A political science professor, Dimitar Gueorguiev, pointed out that the app’s strength was not only in its algorithm but also in the fact that it became popular early and attracted millions of users.

According to him, any U.S. company buying TikTok would mostly be paying for its existing user base and market share, not for any secret technology.

Why It Matters

The TikTok issue has become a symbol of U.S.–China tensions over technology, security, and global influence. The U.S. government fears that TikTok may collect sensitive user data and share it with the Chinese government, a claim strongly denied by ByteDance.

For millions of American users, especially young people, TikTok is more than just an app — it is part of their daily life, where they create, watch, and share short videos. A possible ban or change in ownership has created uncertainty for both users and creators.

For Trump, keeping TikTok alive under American control serves two goals:

1. National security – ensuring data stays in U.S. hands.

2. Political advantage – keeping young voters engaged.

What’s Next?

With the new deadline now set for December 16, negotiations will continue in the coming weeks. Trump is expected to speak directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which may bring further clarity.

If a buyer is finalized, TikTok could continue running smoothly in America under new ownership. If talks fail, however, the app could once again face the threat of being banned.

For now, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain — but what is clear is that both Washington and Beijing see it as more than just an app. It is now part of a much bigger discussion about trade, technology, and global power.