Trump gives a new stay to Tiktok

Symbol of a Sino-American showdown, Tiktok once again crystallizes tensions between digital sovereignty and trade war. With 170 million users in the United States, the bytedance application faces a third deadline postponed by Donald Trump. By extending the sale period, the president relaunches an explosive file in which geopolitical pressure, technological issues and legal battle intertwine. Tiktok remains at the heart of a strategic struggle, at the crossroads of economic interests and national security concerns.

Tiktok facing the American ultimatum: a new stay granted by Trump

President Donald Trump announced an extension of 90 days on Thursday to allow Bytedance, the Chinese parent company in Tiktok, to conclude the sale of its American activities, despite the launch of two revolutionary tools a few months ago.

“I just signed the decree extending the 90 -day Tiktok closure period (until September 17, 2025). Thank you for your attention on this subject! “, He declared On its social social platform.

This decision marks a strategic inflection in the position of Trump, he who, during his first mandate, had sought to banish the application of the American territory.

According to the spokesperson for the White House, Karoline Leavitt, this extension aims to guarantee that “The American people can continue to use Tiktok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure”.

This decision is integrated into an always restrictive legislative context, inherited from the Biden administration, and validated by the Supreme Court: if Tiktok is not sold to an American actor, it will be banished from the United States.

Here is what to remember from this new deadline:

• A third extension granted by Trump since his return to the presidency, after an initial period of 75 days, then a first extension until June 20;
• A new deadline set for September 17, 2025, beyond which Tiktok could be prohibited if no sale is concluded;
• Tiktok claims 170 million users in the United States and claims to support 7.5 million local businesses via its platform;
• Tiktok welcomes the presidential decision in a press release: “We are grateful to President Trump for his leadership and support so that Tiktok remains accessible”.

This extension gives a respite to negotiations, without raising the uncertainties surrounding the future of the application. It constitutes a pragmatic maneuver, in a file where the issues are as technological as it is eminently political.

Candidates for recovery and uncertainties around an agreement

During an Air Force One press, Donald Trump has mentioned the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping should give his transaction. “I think Xi will have to approve an agreement if a buyer manifests”said Trump because he points out that the outcome of the process was not only an American affair.

This declaration adds a new geopolitical dimension to an already complex case, at a time when commercial relations between the two powers are again tense. Moreover, several potential candidates have expressed their interest, without any managing to materialize an offer so far.

Amazon would have submitted a last -minute offer, as is a consortium led by Frank McCourt, in which the co -founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian participates. The former figure of the American treasure, Steven Mnuchin, is also among the contenders.

Despite this manifest interest, no transaction has resulted, in particular due to the implementation of new customs duties on Chinese products, which have helped to further tender bilateral relations.

In parallel, Bytedance remains silent on his real intentions, after having considered in the past to sell Tiktok to Elon Musk. The current Chinese giant strategy seems to be saving time, in the hope that the political or legal situation is evolving. In the meantime, the social network remains active, in particular thanks to Trump's decision not to block it “In the immediate future”.

Several scenarios remain possible. Either Bytedance agrees to sell Tiktok, which would allow the application to stay in the United States, or it refuses, then exposing a ban at the end of the fixed period. This uncertainty feeds volatility around Tiktok, which remains a tool of major influence, both for creators and for brands. If no solution emerges by September 17, a legal and diplomatic confrontation of unprecedented magnitude could explode, on the sidelines of the trade war between the United States and China.