🔴 Website 👉 https://u-s-news.com/
Telegram 👉 https://t.me/usnewscom_channel
President Trump reveals his “warm spot” for TikTok while signaling openness to extend the June 19 deadline for ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations, potentially saving the platform from a nationwide ban.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump is willing to extend the June 19 deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, marking what would be his third extension this year.
- Trump expressed personal fondness for TikTok, saying he has a “warm spot” for the app that now has 170 million U.S. users.
- The TikTok situation is complicated by U.S.-China tariff disputes, with Trump applying 145% tariffs on Chinese goods while negotiating the app’s future.
- Despite potential national security concerns, Trump has instructed officials not to penalize app store operators, allowing TikTok to remain available.
- TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew publicly thanked President Trump for working toward a solution that keeps the platform available in America.
Trump’s Softening Stance on TikTok
President Trump has indicated he would grant another extension to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, if no deal is reached by the current June 19 deadline. During a recent “Meet the Press” interview, when asked directly if he would extend the deadline without a deal in place, Trump responded simply, “I would.” This marks a significant shift from the hard-line stance taken by the previous administration, which had pushed legislation requiring Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations or face a complete ban in America.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” said President Donald Trump.
Trump’s personal engagement with TikTok likely influences his position. By early January, the President’s TikTok account had already accumulated an impressive 1.4 billion total views, averaging 24 million views per post. This massive platform has become an important communication channel with younger Americans, a demographic traditionally difficult for conservative politicians to reach. The popularity of the app has grown substantially, with U.S. users increasing from 150 million to 170 million between February 2023 and January 2024.
SCOOP: People involved in the @WhiteHouse @tiktok_us deliberations say the deadline extension announced by Trump to prevent the ban is in part a byproduct of the trade war with China. It takes off the table a deal with Xi to put TikTok in US hands until Trump can negotiate a…
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) April 4, 2025
ByteDance Sale Negotiations Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions
The President’s willingness to extend TikTok’s deadline comes amid complex negotiations affected by broader U.S.-China trade disputes. Trump has implemented steep 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, creating economic pressure that he believes gives America leverage in these negotiations. “I’d like to see it done,” Trump stated regarding a potential TikTok deal, while acknowledging that tariffs are complicating the process. However, he made clear that tariff reductions wouldn’t be used merely to facilitate the TikTok deal.
“At some point, I’m going to lower them because otherwise, you could never do business with them,” said President Donald Trump.
Beijing has denied direct conversations with the White House regarding TikTok but is reportedly considering broader trade talks. If the current deadline passes without an agreement, it would mark the third extension Trump has granted this year. The President initially delayed enforcement for 90 days early in his term, followed by another 75-day extension announced on April 4, specifically citing Chinese dissatisfaction with “our Reciprocal Tariffs” as a complicating factor. These ongoing extensions demonstrate Trump’s preference for a negotiated solution rather than an outright ban.
TikTok’s CEO Expresses Gratitude for Trump’s Approach
TikTok’s leadership has publicly expressed appreciation for President Trump’s willingness to find an accommodating resolution. The company briefly faced a ban in January when legislation signed by the previous administration initially took effect. However, Trump quickly moved to delay enforcement, allowing the platform to remain available while negotiations continued. Despite the law requiring divestiture from Chinese ownership, Trump has instructed officials not to penalize app store operators, effectively keeping TikTok accessible to its massive American user base.
“On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Said Shou Zi Chew, TikTok CEO.
The ongoing TikTok saga highlights the delicate balance President Trump is striking between national security concerns and economic interests. While data security remains a legitimate concern, Trump’s administration recognizes the significant impact an outright ban would have on millions of American users and content creators who depend on the platform. His approach suggests a preference for American ownership through divestiture rather than prohibition, while using the situation as leverage in broader strategic negotiations with China.