Trump Suggests Possible Extension for TikTok Sale Deadline

TikTok Sale Deadline Set for April 5
U.S. Service to Be Banned if Sale Fails
Chinese Approval Required for Sale

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the deadline for the sale of the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok may be extended. However, for the sale to be finalized, the consent of TikTok's parent company ByteDance and approval from the Chinese government are required, making it uncertain whether China, currently in a trade standoff with the U.S. due to tariff policies, will accept this.

Bloomberg reported that on the 6th (local time), President Trump told reporters that if an agreement on the sale of TikTok is not reached by April 5, the deadline for the sale would "probably" be extended.

President Trump mentioned, "There is still at least more than a month left until the (sale) deadline, so an extension is not necessary," but he expressed willingness to extend the sale deadline if needed. He added, "If an extension is necessary, it will probably be extended." If the sale of TikTok fails within the deadline, TikTok services will be banned in the U.S.

Earlier, the U.S. Congress passed the TikTok Forced Sale Act in April, citing concerns that Americans' information could flow to China and threaten U.S. national security. Accordingly, TikTok was required to find a new owner not based in China by January 19. President Trump emerged as a savior at that time. Facing the forced sale crisis in January, TikTok's sale deadline was postponed to April 5 by President Trump's executive order. Subsequently, President Trump expressed his desire to mediate the sale of TikTok and insisted that the U.S. government should receive a 50% stake in the company as a condition.

The key issue is whether the Chinese government will approve the acquisition of TikTok by a U.S. company. The trade war between the two countries is intensifying as China retaliates with counter-tariffs against President Trump's tariffs on China.

He said, "We are very interested in TikTok. We hope China will approve the deal, and China will play that role," indirectly pressuring the Chinese government. President Trump did not specifically mention any companies interested in acquiring TikTok.