TikTok ban delayed: When is the new deadline and who is in the race to buy Chinese app?

Trump added that he looked forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal, and that he did not want the app to "go dark."

Updated on: Apr 5, 2025, 24:17:54 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

US President Donald Trump on Friday extended the deadline for the sale of ByteDance's assets of short video app TikTok in the country, saying that "tremendous progress" had been made but more work was needed to secure approvals.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump reacts before boarding Marine One, while departing the White House en route to Florida, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 3, 2025. (REUTERS)

“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress. The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The Republican added that he looked forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal, and that he did not want the app to "go dark."

“We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs (Necessary for Fair and Balanced Trade between China and the U.S.A.!). This proves that tariffs are the most powerful economic tool and are very important to our national security! We do not want TikTok to “go dark.” We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal,” the post further said.

When is the new deadline for TikTok to get the deal done?

Before the new deadline announcement, ByteDance had until April 5, or Saturday, to carry out a “qualified divestiture” of TikTok’s business in the United States, as required by a national security law signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024.

According to the new announcement, the Chinese company has until June 19 to reach a deal with a new buyer or face a ban in the US. A ByteDance spokesperson told Reuters that the company has been in talks with the US government regarding finding a solution, but an agreement hasn't been 'executed' yet.

Who is in the race to buy the Chinese app?

Several investors are reportedly interested in buying TikTok's US operations. These include Jeff Bezos' Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely, Reuters reported.

According to the report, private equity firm Blackstone is also in discussion about joining ByteDance's non-Chinese shareholders. So is venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, to add outside funding to buy out TikTok's Chinese investors, as part of a bid led by tech giant Oracle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.