Trump Says He’ll Extend TikTok Deadline if No Deal Reached by June 19

Washington (WE) — President Donald Trump announced he might extend the deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets from TikTok, if no agreement is reached by June 19, 2025. The U.S. government originally set the deadline to force TikTok to stop operating in the U.S. due to national security concerns. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press”, Trump explained his decision to grant more time. The interview aired on Sunday after being taped at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump’s move comes as tensions rise between the U.S. and China, especially regarding TikTok‘s ownership. The app, with 170 million American users, has sparked debates about data privacy and security.

A Crucial Deadline Approaches

In the interview, President Trump said he would “like to see it done” by June 19 but would allow more time for ByteDance to work out issues with the U.S. government. He noted that he has a “sweet spot” for TikTok after the app helped him reach young voters during the 2024 presidential election.

“I think TikTok is very interesting, but it will be protected,” Trump said.

Trump’s comments come after the U.S. Congress passed a law requiring TikTok’s U.S. operations to separate from its parent company, ByteDance. The initial deadline for this divestiture was January 19, 2025. Trump granted two extensions, first to April and then to June 19, 2025.

A Deal in Progress

Talks had been underway for a deal that would create a new company, based in the U.S., that would own and operate TikTok‘s U.S. operations. However, China delayed the process after President Trump imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods.

The main challenge in this deal is the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. Sources close to ByteDance’s U.S. investors say that work continues, but Washington and Beijing must resolve the tariff issue before an agreement can be finalized.

China’s opposition comes from concerns over Chinese legal review procedures. ByteDance has not reached a final agreement with the U.S. government, keeping the future of TikTok in the U.S. uncertain.

Concerns from Democratic Senators

Some Democratic senators have questioned Trump’s ability to extend the deadline. They argue that he lacks legal authority to push the date beyond June 19. They also doubt that the deal would meet legal requirements.

Legal experts suggest the deal between ByteDance and the U.S. government could fail to comply with U.S. law and Chinese regulations. This raises doubts about the viability of any deal that would allow TikTok to continue in the U.S. past the June deadline.

Tariffs Continue to Impact Negotiations

The tariff dispute between the U.S. and China remains a critical issue. President Trump explained that China wants to reach an agreement because the tariffs have hurt its economy. Currently, the U.S. has imposed tariffs of up to 145 percent on certain Chinese goods, escalating tensions.

Trump stated that he would not remove the tariffs for the sake of reaching a deal on TikTok. However, he suggested he might reduce the tariffs as part of a broader trade agreement with China.

“At some point, I’m going to lower them,” Trump said. “Otherwise, you could never do business with them. And they want to do business very much.”

This suggests Trump’s willingness to negotiate on tariffs but only if it contributes to a larger agreement with China.

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ByteDance’s Statement

ByteDance recently released a statement on Weibo, reiterating that no agreement has been reached with the U.S. government. The company emphasized that any potential deal must comply with Chinese legal procedures, which complicates negotiations.

“ByteDance is still in negotiations with the U.S. government, but no deal has been finalized,” the company said. “Any potential deal must comply with Chinese legal procedures.”

This legal hurdle has been a significant obstacle in finalizing the agreement. The Chinese government must approve any deal involving ByteDance’s assets in China. ByteDance has expressed concerns about how U.S. regulations could impact its operations.

Broader Implications of the TikTok Saga

The ongoing saga of TikTok‘s future in the U.S. reflects broader tensions between the U.S. and China over trade, technology, and national security. As one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, TikTok has become a central point in the dispute. Both countries are vying for control over how the app operates in the U.S.

The U.S. government has raised national security concerns, fearing that TikTok could be used for Chinese espionage due to its ties to ByteDance, a company based in Beijing. These concerns have led to calls for a ban or forced divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations.

On the other hand, TikTok has become a vital platform in American culture. Millions of users share videos, ranging from viral dances to political commentary. A ban or forced separation of its U.S. operations would impact creators who rely on the app for income.

Uncertain Future

As the June 19 deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. While President Trump has signaled his willingness to extend the deadline for ByteDance, the ongoing trade war with China and legal concerns from U.S. lawmakers complicate the situation. Negotiations continue between ByteDance, the U.S. government, and China.

The outcome of this dispute will impact the future of social media platforms, data privacy laws, and the broader U.S.-China relationship.