The current deadline requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a U.S. ban expires June 19, but the White House may issue another extension as trade discussions with China continue this week.
A U.S. official close to the matter said President Trump is open to another delay if needed, noting that Chinese negotiators may be using TikTok as leverage in the talks. A Wall Street banker involved in a potential sale to U.S. investors said Trump could let TikTok be removed from app stores on June 19 if it gives him a strategic edge.
The Biden administration originally signed the divest-or-ban law to take effect January 19, just before Trump returned to office. Trump extended the deadline twice—most recently in April—amid negotiations for a deal that would give U.S. investors majority control, with ByteDance keeping a minority share. Oracle was set to lead the new ownership group.
However, that deal fell apart after Trump enacted harsh new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising rates to 145%. The rate has since been lowered to 30% as negotiations resumed.
Trump, once a vocal opponent of TikTok, now sees the platform as a useful tool, particularly after it played a role in his 2024 campaign.
