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HomeTechnologyTikTok Granted 75-Day Extension as Trump Administration Pushes for U.S. Divestiture Deal

TikTok Granted 75-Day Extension as Trump Administration Pushes for U.S. Divestiture Deal

TikTok will remain available in the United States for at least 75 more days after former President Donald Trump announced a second extension to the deadline requiring the social media giant to divest its U.S. operations. The announcement, made on Friday, April 4, marks another key development in the ongoing negotiations between TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and U.S. officials.

The original deadline, set to expire on April 5, was extended amid what Trump described as “tremendous progress” toward reaching a deal that would keep TikTok operational in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns. This move follows previous tensions around the app’s ownership and fears of foreign influence due to its ties to China-based ByteDance.

“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK,” Trump stated, adding that further work is needed to finalize the agreement and ensure all regulatory approvals are secured. “That is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days.”

ByteDance confirmed that while a formal agreement has not yet been executed, talks are ongoing and several “key matters” remain unresolved. Among those issues is the need for approval from the Chinese government, which would have to sign off on any final divestiture plan.

Another complicating factor in the negotiations is the broader economic relationship between the U.S. and China, particularly the issue of tariffs. Trump directly linked the TikTok deal to the current tariff policies, calling them a “powerful Economic tool” and essential to maintaining national security.

“We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs,” Trump said. “This proves that Tariffs are the most powerful Economic tool, and very important to our National Security!”

TikTok had briefly gone offline in January 2025, raising alarm among users and prompting renewed urgency around the ongoing negotiations. The current extension suggests a possible path forward, but significant hurdles remain before a final agreement can be reached.

Stay tuned to DC Brief for further updates on this story and other technology developments.

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