New Deadline Set for December 16 as US and China Reach Tentative Agreement on TikTok’s Future
President Donald Trump has formally extended the deadline for TikTok’s shutdown in the United States to December 16, marking the fourth time he has delayed enforcement of a federal order requiring the Chinese-owned app to divest its U.S. operations.
This move follows a tentative framework deal reached between U.S. and Chinese officials, paving the way for ByteDance — TikTok’s parent company — to transfer ownership of its U.S. operations to an American firm.
Key Background: Deadlines and Deal Progress
- The original deadline, set by Congress, was January 19, 2025 — one day before Trump’s second-term inauguration.
- Trump has now extended the ban four times, citing active negotiations and the potential value of TikTok.
- The decision came shortly before the President and First Lady Melania Trump departed for a State Visit to the United Kingdom.
“I hate to see value like that thrown out the window,” Trump said while leaving the White House.
US-China Framework Agreement Announced
The framework deal was brokered during talks in Madrid on Monday between:
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
- Other senior trade and economic officials from both nations
Key Points of the Deal:
- TikTok’s U.S. assets would be transferred to American ownership.
- China and the U.S. agreed to reduce investment barriers and enhance digital trade cooperation.
- Further details and potential U.S. buyers are expected to be revealed soon.
Li Chenggang, China’s international trade representative, called it a “basic framework consensus” that supports economic collaboration and mutual security interests.
Political Motives: TikTok and the 2024 Election
Sources close to the Trump administration say the President has grown more supportive of keeping TikTok operational due to its impact on young voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election, which played a key role in his re-election.
However, the 2023 law mandating TikTok’s sale remains in effect, grounded in concerns about national security and data privacy risks linked to Chinese ownership.
Expert Analysis: Is TikTok Still Worth It?
Despite political interest and the framework agreement, some experts question TikTok’s long-term value.
“The U.S.–China deal on TikTok may look like a breakthrough, but it risks being a Pyrrhic victory,” said Dimitar Gueorguiev, professor of political science at Syracuse University.
Gueorguiev argued that:
- TikTok’s famed algorithm has lost its mystique.
- Its success was more about early-mover advantage and network effects, not irreplaceable tech.
- Any American buyer would be purchasing market share, not transformative technology.
What’s Next?
President Trump confirmed he would be discussing TikTok directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, indicating that the final structure of the deal may be announced in the coming days.
With growing pressure to finalize the sale, the next few weeks will be pivotal for the future of TikTok in the United States.
