Beijing: On Friday, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend TikTok's operation in the United States for an additional 75 days. This delay is intended to allow more time for negotiations aimed at bringing the app under majority American ownership.

The move came just as White House officials were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok’s US operations into a new, American-owned entity, with China’s ByteDance retaining a minority stake. However, Chinese officials halted progress on the agreement following Trump's announcement of global tariffs, including those targeting China. ByteDance representatives reportedly contacted the White House, stating that no further deal approvals would proceed without broader trade negotiations.

Despite a law passed in 2024 mandating ByteDance to divest TikTok by 19 January or face a ban, Trump had previously delayed enforcement. His latest executive order extends that grace period amid ongoing discussions involving US investors, ByteDance, and US administration officials. The proposed deal includes a 120-day closing window and had garnered preliminary support from all stakeholders before Beijing’s reversal.

Trump asserted via his social media platform that the deal remains viable and significant progress has been made. ByteDance confirmed talks were ongoing but noted no agreement had been finalised and that any deal would still require Chinese government approval.

While TikTok maintains that user safety is a priority and denies allegations of data misuse, concerns persist over ByteDance’s continued control of the platform’s core algorithm. Cybersecurity expert Chris Pierson warned that unless algorithm control is removed from ByteDance, national security risks remain unchanged.

This marks the second occasion Trump has delayed implementation of the TikTok ban, originally upheld by Congress and the Supreme Court for national security reasons. Legal experts argue that his actions constitute a unilateral pause rather than a lawful extension, and the platform technically remains in violation of the 2024 law.

Reactions among content creators and the public are mixed. While some welcome the extension, others express fatigue over the recurring uncertainty. A Pew Research Center survey found US opinion on a TikTok ban remains divided, with only a third supporting it, a notable decline from 2023.

Creators like Terrell Wade, who boasts 1.5 million followers, voiced frustration with the continued uncertainty. He, along with others, is diversifying content across platforms while awaiting a definitive resolution.

Until a formal agreement is secured, TikTok's future in the United States remains uncertain, especially as geopolitical tensions influence regulatory decisions.

(With AFP inputs)