President Donald Trump has once again hinted at the possibility of delaying the TikTok ban for a third time. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump expressed his willingness to grant another extension if a deal is not reached for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American owners before the current June 19 deadline, as reported by Axios.
During the interview, Trump admitted to having a soft spot for TikTok, stating, “Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok.” This sentiment contrasts with the previous actions taken by his administration last year when Congress passed a law banning TikTok if its parent company ByteDance failed to sell the app. The ban briefly took effect in January, causing TikTok to disappear temporarily. However, Trump decided to delay the ban for 90 days and suggested the possibility of a joint venture with U.S. ownership.
As the next deadline approached in April, Trump once again extended the deadline by 75 days, citing tensions with the Chinese government, which needs to approve the deal. Trump mentioned that the Chinese government was “not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs,” indicating the complexities involved in reaching a resolution.
The ongoing negotiations and extensions reflect the intricate nature of the discussions surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. With Trump showing a willingness to grant further extensions, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
