• President Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok to find a buyer by another 75 days amid ongoing negotiations.
• The deadline extension comes after a near-finalized deal between TikTok and U.S. investors was derailed by new tariffs imposed on China.
• Despite administrative assurances, the deal's future hinges on Chinese government approval, which has not been publicly guaranteed.

In an escalating saga around the operation of TikTok in the United States, President Donald Trump has announced a 75-day extension for the popular short-video app to navigate its impending sale requirements. Originally set by a federal law to be divested from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban, the new deadline pushes into mid-June. This decision comes on the heels of Trump's latest tariff announcements which have complicated negotiations between TikTok and potential U.S. investors.

Describing the situation on his social media platform, Trump stated, “My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” emphasizing that further work is required to finalize all necessary approvals. This reassurance aims to keep TikTok operational for its 170 million U.S. users while addressing national security concerns linked to the app's data management practices.

However, the negotiations reached a significant impasse this week when reports emerged that China signaled its unwillingness to approve a deal following Trump’s announcement of reflective tariffs, which now stand at around 54% for Chinese imports. The economic pressure has reignited concerns over China's influence on TikTok and raised questions about maintaining American security while navigating international trade relations. "The tariffs give us great power to negotiate," Trump remarked while highlighting the ongoing struggle for a balanced trade approach.

As discussions continue, potential buyers, including significant players such as Amazon and Oracle, are reportedly in negotiation processes to acquire or invest in TikTok’s U.S. operations. Yet, without definitive Chinese government consent, the proposed deal remains precarious. Adding to the tension, TikTok has stated any agreement reached will be subject to Chinese law, complicating the path forward further.

This current landscape not only reflects Trump's ongoing trade policies but also the overarching challenge of managing foreign technology in the American market, a topic that remains divisive in presidential discussions.

For ongoing coverage and insights on the developing TikTok situation, visit SCMP and NY Times.