In a recent post on his social media platform, former President Donald J. Trump announced that his administration has made “tremendous progress” on a deal to save TikTok, the popular social media app with Chinese ownership. While the deal is still undergoing necessary approvals, Trump revealed that he is signing an Executive Order to extend TikTok’s operational deadline in the U.S. by an additional 75 days.
“We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark’,” Trump emphasized in the statement, reinforcing his intention to keep the platform alive while negotiations continue.
The former president framed the move as a matter of both economic leverage and national security. He tied the extension to broader trade dynamics with China, noting that the Chinese government is reportedly unhappy with recent “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the U.S. Trump described these tariffs as “necessary for fair and balanced trade,” and called them “the most powerful economic tool” for protecting American interests.
This move marks a continuation of Trump’s long-standing skepticism of Chinese technology companies, which he has previously accused of posing national security risks. During his presidency, Trump sought to force a sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American companies, citing concerns over data privacy and Chinese surveillance.
Although specific details about the ongoing deal remain unclear, Trump’s statement suggests that negotiations are active and that the parties involved are aiming to resolve the matter in “Good Faith.”
The tweet reflects Trump’s dual strategy: projecting strength in trade policy while maintaining an open line of negotiation. His decision to grant TikTok more time could ease tensions in the short term, but the ultimate outcome will likely depend on whether a mutually acceptable deal can be reached between TikTok, U.S. authorities, and Chinese stakeholders.
