U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he might let TikTok “die” as the deadline for a deal with the social media app approaches. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump admitted he was uncertain about whether he would extend the deadline again.
“I may or may not. We are negotiating TikTok right now. We may let it die, or we may…I don’t know. It depends on China. It doesn’t matter too much. I would love to do it for the kids, they like it,” Trump said.
If the deadline is extended beyond September 17, it would mark the fourth reprieve granted by Trump since the law requiring ByteDance to sell or shut down TikTok in the U.S. by January 2025.
A History of Extensions and Delays
Trump has repeatedly postponed enforcement of the federal ruling:
- The first deadline was pushed to early April.
- A second extension moved it to June.
- A third extension stretched it to September.
Last month, Trump claimed he had potential U.S. buyers lined up for TikTok and suggested he could extend the deadline further.
National Security Concerns Surround TikTok
Many China hawks in Washington argue that Beijing could use TikTok to spy on, censor, or blackmail Americans. Despite these concerns, Trump has said he is open to saving the app, which played a role in attracting younger voters during the 2024 presidential election.
A deal proposed in the spring aimed to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new company majority-owned by U.S. investors. However, the plan stalled after China signaled it would block the move, particularly after Trump announced steep tariffs on Chinese goods.
Ongoing U.S.–China Negotiations
Trump’s remarks came as U.S. and Chinese officials met in Madrid for high-level trade and economic talks. The U.S. delegation was led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while China’s group was headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The six-hour discussion included national security issues and the status of ByteDance’s TikTok, which faces a looming deadline to reach a deal allowing its continued U.S. operations.
What Happens Next for TikTok?
While Reuters has reported that Trump may extend the September 17 deadline once again, the President has not provided details on who the potential buyers might be.
TikTok currently has 170 million users in the United States, making any decision on its future a high-stakes political and economic issue.
For now, Trump’s message remains clear: TikTok’s future in America is still uncertain and heavily tied to China’s next move.
