Post by : Raman

The future of TikTok in the United States is becoming more uncertain by the day. President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. operations or face a complete shutdown.

This deadline was originally set for September 17, 2025, but now a new extension seems very likely. If granted, this would be the fourth time the deadline has been extended.

With about 170 million users in the U.S. alone, TikTok is one of the most popular apps today. It allows users to share short videos and has especially captured the hearts of young Americans. Yet, its future now remains uncertain because of political tensions between the United States and China.

How the TikTok Dispute Started

The problem began when U.S. lawmakers started raising security concerns about TikTok. The app is owned by ByteDance, a big Chinese technology company. Some American officials worry that the Chinese government could force ByteDance to share user data from Americans. They are also concerned about possible censorship or blackmail of TikTok users.

To fix this, the U.S. passed a law that gave ByteDance until January 2025 to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American buyer or shut the app down completely.

However, Trump has not enforced this law strictly. Instead, he has given multiple extensions. He explained that TikTok is extremely popular among children and young people, so shutting it down would be a big mistake.

President Trump’s Position on TikTok

President Trump has sent mixed signals about what will happen to TikTok. At one time, he claimed several U.S. buyers were ready to take over the app. Later, he said the future of TikTok depended on talks with China.

In a recent statement, Trump said:

"I may or may not, we’re negotiating TikTok right now. We may let it die, or we may, I don’t know, it depends, up to China. It doesn’t matter too much. I’d like to do it for the kids."

His words show that Trump is trying to balance two important things: protecting an app that millions of Americans love, and putting pressure on China in a political fight.

Why Deadlines Keep Getting Extended

Originally, the law said that ByteDance must sell TikTok by January 2025. Since then, the deadline has already been moved three times: first to April, then to June, and later to September. Now, a fourth extension is expected.

The main reason for these constant delays is that negotiations are very complicated. The most important part of TikTok is its algorithm—the special technology that decides what videos appear on each user’s feed.

China says the algorithm is too important to be shared or sold. Without government permission, ByteDance cannot transfer it. This makes it almost impossible for an American company to buy TikTok.

Attempts at a Deal

Earlier this year, there seemed to be good progress toward a solution. The plan was to create a new company where American investors would own most of the shares, and TikTok’s U.S. operations would continue running independently.

But these plans failed. China refused to approve the sale after Trump announced new tariffs (taxes) on Chinese goods.

This mix of business difficulties and political fights has slowed down the process. Both the U.S. and China are now using TikTok as a bargaining tool in their larger disagreements.

The Role of Trade Talks

At the same time, U.S. and Chinese leaders have been having trade talks in different parts of the world. Until recently, TikTok was not part of these talks.

However, in the latest meeting in Spain, TikTok was discussed for the first time. U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and negotiator Li Chenggang.

Even though a final deal is not expected before the next deadline on September 17, the fact that TikTok is now part of the conversation gives Trump’s administration a reason to delay the deadline again.

But many lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, are becoming frustrated. They demanded that TikTok be sold long ago. They may not be happy if the deadline is extended again.

Why Trump Wants to Save TikTok

Despite the pressure from national security experts and lawmakers, Trump keeps saying he wants to save TikTok.

Why?

Because TikTok is extremely popular among young people in the U.S. With 170 million users, banning TikTok could cause public anger, especially among teenagers and their parents.

Trump understands public opinion matters. He does not want to be the president who shut down an app that millions of young people use every day to share videos and have fun.

ByteDance’s Position

For ByteDance, the situation is very complicated too. The company is valued at over $330 billion and is one of the most successful tech companies in the world.

TikTok is ByteDance’s most valuable international product. Losing the U.S. market would be a huge loss for the company.

But ByteDance cannot sell TikTok’s algorithm. It is the heart of the app. Without it, TikTok would not be the same app millions of people love.

Because of this, nothing has changed, and the deadlock continues.

What Happens Next?

As September 17 gets closer, it looks more likely that the Trump administration will extend the deadline again.

If that happens, it will be the fourth extension since the law was passed.

Nobody knows how long this will continue. With each extension, political pressure grows stronger.

Lawmakers may soon demand stronger action, while U.S. companies waiting to buy TikTok are left uncertain.

The Bigger Picture

The TikTok fight is not just about one app.

It is part of a bigger struggle between the U.S. and China over technology, trade, and global power.

• The U.S. worries that China could use TikTok to spy on Americans or spread propaganda.

• China worries that America is trying to hurt its most successful tech company.

This tug-of-war has created uncertainty for millions of TikTok users, who just want to make and watch videos.

Why TikTok Still Runs

For now, TikTok is still working in the U.S.

People keep making and watching videos.

Businesses keep advertising on it.

But nobody knows how long this will last.

Final Thoughts

The drama around TikTok in the U.S. is far from over.

President Trump’s administration is almost certain to delay the deadline again.

But the big problems remain:

• China’s refusal to share TikTok’s algorithm.

• U.S. concerns about data security.

• Political tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Millions of young people continue to enjoy TikTok every day.

But the long-term future of this app in America remains uncertain.

TikTok sale delay, ByteDance US operations, Trump TikTok policy, US China tech battle