Ban enforcement postponed until mid-December
President Donald Trump has extended the nationwide ban on TikTok until mid-December, according to an executive order issued on Tuesday. This marks the fourth time the enforcement of the measure has been delayed, coinciding with progress in discussions between Washington and Beijing regarding the platform’s future.
TikTok’s role in the U.S. market
TikTok has established itself as one of the most widely used social media applications in the United States. Surveys indicate that roughly one in three Americans use the platform, with nearly half of adult users reporting that they regularly consume news content there.
The company’s Chinese ownership has been at the center of political debate for years. In 2024, Congress passed legislation requiring the app to be sold to a U.S.-based entity within a year, citing national security concerns over data privacy. Lawmakers argued that the app’s data collection practices could potentially expose sensitive information.
Ongoing talks and potential outcomes
The ban officially went into effect in January, shortly before Trump took office, briefly shutting down the app. However, Trump issued an executive order providing a 90-day pause to allow negotiations, a delay that has since been extended multiple times.
The latest order grants another 90-day extension and comes as U.S. officials announced they have reached a preliminary framework for an agreement with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that discussions are advancing, and Trump is expected to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week to finalize details. According to the president, several major companies have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, which could lead to a resolution of the dispute.
