TikTok Gets 75-Day Extension as Trump Orders Ban Delay, App Stores Maintain Block
President Trump has granted TikTok a 75-day extension before the ban takes effect, though Apple and Google continue blocking new app installations from their stores.
The executive order requires ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to address national security concerns and potentially divest from the platform. Trump advocates for at least 50% U.S. ownership of TikTok.
Trump values the platform's potential worth at up to $1 trillion if a deal is reached, but claims it would be "worthless" without his approval. He suggests the U.S. should receive half of TikTok's value, potentially worth $500 billion, through a partnership arrangement.
Regarding security concerns, Trump emphasized TikTok's young user base, stating, "If China is going to get information about young kids out of it, to be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that."
The announcement comes as Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the recent presidential inauguration, representing China instead of President Xi Jinping, who was originally invited. This marks a departure from traditional diplomatic protocol, where ambassadors typically attend such events.
The order provides ByteDance additional time to negotiate and address U.S. security concerns while maintaining TikTok's operations in the United States. Details about potential ownership structures and partnerships remain under discussion.
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