Trump Eyes Third TikTok Sale Deadline Extension Amid China Hurdles

Introduction:

The ongoing saga of TikTok’s U.S. operations has taken yet another twist as former President Donald Trump, now returned to office as of January 20, 2025, hinted at a likely third extension of the platform’s U.S. sale deadline. The Chinese-owned short-form video app continues to sit at the center of geopolitical and data security concerns, with its future in the American market remaining uncertain. Despite prior ultimatums and legislative moves to force a sale, Trump’s administration appears to be buying more time—once again.

the Original

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the deadline for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations will likely be extended once again—marking the third such delay. The current deadline is June 19, and while efforts to complete the sale continue, the necessary approvals from the Chinese government have not been secured. Trump noted that although China’s approval has yet to be granted, he believes it will eventually come, predicting that Chinese President Xi Jinping will ultimately sign off on the deal.

This comes amid Trump’s return to the presidency as of January 20, 2025. As his administration resumes, attention is focused not only on traditional political challenges but also on how he navigates contentious issues involving foreign tech influence in the U.S. The TikTok matter has become symbolic of broader concerns about data sovereignty, tech dominance, and U.S.-China relations.

What Undercode Say:

The situation surrounding TikTok’s forced sale in the U.S. highlights several key strategic, legal, and geopolitical layers worth dissecting. First, the repeated extensions underscore just how complex it is to unwind a tech giant’s global infrastructure—especially one so deeply embedded in youth culture and digital commerce.

While Trump’s statement seems casual—”I think Xi will approve it eventually”—the reality is far more intricate. China sees platforms like TikTok not merely as commercial assets but as symbols of digital soft power. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, also relies heavily on proprietary algorithms, many of which are classified by China as export-restricted technologies. This significantly complicates any attempt to transfer ownership or core intellectual property to a U.S.-based buyer.

On the U.S. side, national security remains the leading narrative. Concerns revolve around data harvesting, potential censorship influence, and the exposure of American users to Chinese surveillance laws. However, with each extension, the urgency of these concerns appears diluted. Critics might argue that extending the deadline without tangible progress gives ByteDance time to maneuver strategically or even outlast political momentum.

This decision also signals something deeper about Trump’s current diplomatic posture. His softened tone toward China, particularly the assumption of Xi’s future cooperation, marks a noticeable shift from his earlier, more aggressive stance. That could either reflect a new strategic calculus—perhaps balancing economic cooperation with political pressure—or simply a recognition of the futility of pushing China too hard without major international alignment.

Furthermore, the delay opens the door for tech giants like Oracle, Walmart, or newer players to regroup and potentially re-enter negotiations. For investors and stakeholders, this prolonged uncertainty introduces both risk and speculative opportunity.

At a time when the tech industry is being pulled between regulatory clamps and global expansion ambitions, the TikTok case is more than a policy tug-of-war—it’s a litmus test for how digital sovereignty disputes will be handled in this new era of “techno-nationalism.”

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ Trump did state publicly that another extension of the TikTok sale deadline is likely.
✅ The current deadline remains June 19, and this would mark the third such extension.
❌ There is no official confirmation from China or President Xi Jinping regarding approval of any sale at this time.

📊 Prediction

Expect a continued delay in the final resolution of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Given the geopolitical sensitivity, both sides are likely to play a prolonged game of strategic patience. Trump may use the issue as a negotiation tool with China on broader economic or security matters. Meanwhile, ByteDance could propose a compromise model—perhaps a joint U.S.-China data trust or algorithm oversight panel—to avoid a full sale and appease regulators on both ends.

References:

Reported By: xtechnikkeicom_a23d5b49c4aa87e7209297a8
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