If TikTok buyers fail to materialize by April 5, Trump is ready to extend the ban delay

On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President, the social network TikTok stopped working in the country for several hours, but the new head of state delayed the ban until April 5, suggesting that the pause be used to find buyers. Now he has said that he is ready to extend this period.

Image source: Unsplash, Solen Feyissa

Recall that by April 5, the Chinese company ByteDance must find buyers for its American assets related to TikTok that would satisfy the American government in terms of political reliability and information security. Speaking this week, Donald Trump explained that many potential investors are interested in buying TikTok assets in the United States, and since there is almost a month left until April 5, there is no need to further extend the delay in the ban, but if necessary, the president could resort to such a right. “If it becomes necessary to extend the deadline, then I will probably do so,” Trump admitted.

He also added that China would play a certain role in approving the deal, and there is currently a high level of interest in TikTok from potential buyers. Recall that Trump initially had the right to delay the ban on TikTok in the US for 90 days, but in fact, the president only delayed the date by 75 days. Trump himself has repeatedly suggested implementing a deal with TikTok’s American assets under a scheme that would allow the government to gain control over half of them. The US president’s ability to extend the delay in this situation is not unlimited from the point of view of American legislation.