Trump approves fourth extension for US TikTok sale – Reuters

“The Trump administration is expected to again extend a September 17 deadline for China's ByteDance to divest the U.S. assets of short-video app TikTok or shut it down,” a source familiar with the situation told the agency.

This will be the fourth extension granted by Trump, although congressional law originally gave ByteDance the right to sell or close the social media platform by January 2025.

Last month, US President Trump said he already had American buyers interested in acquiring the app and noted that he might extend the deadline again.

Reuters reports that progress on the deal has been slow because transferring TikTok’s valuable algorithm to a US buyer requires Beijing’s approval.

The deal had been in preparation since spring. It involved spinning off TikTok’s American division into a new company headquartered in the US, with American investors holding a controlling stake.

However, the deal was halted after China stated it would not approve it following Trump’s announcement of significant tariffs on Chinese goods.

In August, it was reported that the White House officially launched its own TikTok account. Reuters noted that this move is aimed at engaging a younger audience.