Trump Signals Possible 90-Day Extension for TikTok to Avoid U.S. Ban
The incoming president weighs a reprieve for TikTok as a U.S. ban looms, raising questions about the platform’s future amid geopolitical tensions.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is “most likely” to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal that would allow the popular video-sharing app to continue operating in the United States. Trump’s comments come just days before his inauguration on Monday and hours before a ban on TikTok is set to take effect.
In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, Trump acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done because it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation.”
If approved, the extension would provide TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance, additional time to sell its U.S. operations to an approved buyer, a condition mandated by a law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year. The law was designed to address national security concerns related to TikTok’s ownership and data practices.
Ban Details and Current Developments
The ban, set to take effect Sunday, prohibits mobile app stores and internet hosting providers from offering TikTok to U.S. users. Without intervention, TikTok could face significant operational challenges, including losing access to essential services.
On Friday, TikTok released a statement urging the Biden administration to issue a “definitive statement” clarifying that it would not enforce the law or penalize app store operators like Apple and Google for continuing to offer the app. TikTok warned that without such assurances, it may be “forced to go dark” in the U.S.
However, the White House dismissed TikTok’s statement as “a stunt,” with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasizing that the matter will be handled by the incoming Trump administration. “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” Jean-Pierre said.
Law and Possible Reprieve
Under the law, ByteDance was given nine months to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to an approved buyer. The president retains the authority to grant an extension if negotiations are underway. Trump’s comments suggest he is open to exercising that power, potentially averting an immediate shutdown of the platform.
“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump said, leaving users, businesses, and tech companies awaiting further clarity.
Tech Giants Silent on Next Steps
As of Saturday, neither Apple, Google, nor Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s data on U.S. servers, has commented on their plans following the ban’s activation. It remains unclear how these companies will respond if the app is officially barred from being distributed.
Geopolitical Implications
TikTok’s future in the U.S. has been a contentious issue, with lawmakers and security experts expressing concerns over the platform’s potential for data collection and its ties to the Chinese government. Proponents of the ban argue that TikTok poses a national security threat, while critics view the move as part of broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.
The potential extension offers a temporary solution but does not eliminate the underlying challenges. If TikTok fails to reach an agreement within the extended timeframe, its operations in the U.S. may still face significant restrictions or a complete shutdown.
What’s Next?
With Trump set to take office on Monday, all eyes will be on the incoming administration to determine the fate of TikTok in the U.S. A 90-day extension, if granted, would provide a critical window for negotiations, but the long-term future of the platform remains uncertain.
Source : Swifteradio.com
