US President Donald Trump has said that he will likely extend the upcoming deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US operations of its popular short video app, TikTok. His comments come 2-days ahead of the June 19 deadline which was set after Trump postponed the ban twice this year.According to news agency Reuters, Trump reiterated a sentiment he first expressed in May: that TikTok’s assistance in engaging young voters during the 2024 election has influenced his stance.When directly asked aboard Air Force One if he would extend the June 19 deadline, Trump responded, “Probably, yeah.” “Probably have to get China approval but I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it,” he added.
Trump hinted at extension earlier this month
This is not the first time that Trump has hinted to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban for a third time. According to the New York Post’s “On The Money,” a government official familiar with President Trump’s thinking stated an extension is on cards.“The president has said he’s willing to (announce another extension) if it has to happen,” the official said, further indicating that Beijing is leveraging TikTok as a “bargaining chip” in the ongoing trade discussions. “The Chinese just want to hold this up as leverage in the trade talks,” the official noted. President Trump himself has expressed a willingness to grant an extension.“It’ll be protected. It’ll be very strongly protected. But if it needs an extension, I would be willing to give it an extension,” he told NBC News, acknowledging having a “little sweet spot” for the popular video-sharing app.
