Trump Signals Third Extension for TikTok Sale Deadline

President Donald Trump indicated he will likely extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to sell the video-sharing app to U.S. owners, marking a potential third extension amid stalled negotiations and rising U.S.-China tensions. The deadline has been extended twice before: first in January when Trump reactivated a congressional ban upheld by the Supreme Court, and again in April after a near-complete sale deal fell through when China withdrew support following U.S. tariff announcements. Trump expressed optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping will eventually approve the sale, a key factor given China's required consent for any divestiture. Despite legal challenges and political opposition, Trump has credited TikTok with helping him connect with young voters, having amassed over 15 million followers on the platform since joining last year. The ongoing TikTok sale saga underscores complex geopolitical and economic issues involving technology ownership, trade policies, and digital influence between the U.S. and China. Trump’s evolving stance on TikTok contrasts with his prior calls for banning the app, as he now views it as a valuable tool against competitors like Meta.