The battle over TikTok’s future in the United States took a new turn Monday as President Donald Trump signed an order delaying enforcement of mandatory sale requirements for 75 days, giving his administration time to explore alternative solutions.
The social media platform, which went offline briefly over the weekend, received temporary protection from a law that would force its Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest 80 percent of its ownership to continue operating in the US market.
“This pause will allow us to determine the appropriate course of action regarding TikTok,” the White House stated. The Justice Department has been instructed not to pursue penalties against the platform or companies involved in its recent service restoration.
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The development follows a dramatic sequence of events, including Friday’s Supreme Court decision upholding the divestment law and TikTok’s brief voluntary shutdown on Sunday. The service resumed after Trump voiced support for maintaining its availability during inaugural events.
Related: Biden Defers TikTok Ban Enforcement to Trump Administration
In a potentially significant shift, Chinese officials signaled new flexibility Monday regarding ByteDance’s options. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning suggested Beijing might approve partial ownership changes, stating such decisions should follow “market principles.”
Trump has floated the idea of an equal ownership split between ByteDance and American interests, though this proposal falls short of the law’s requirements for US control. Several potential investors have expressed interest in acquiring the necessary stake, though no formal agreements have emerged.
The original legislation, signed by former President Biden last April, aimed to address national security concerns about potential Chinese government influence through ByteDance’s ownership of the popular video-sharing platform.
Related: Fresh Revelations Raise Doubts On TikTok’s “Independence” From Beijing
While the app remains unavailable on major US app stores, companies that assisted in restoring TikTok’s service will receive formal assurance from the attorney general confirming they face no legal consequences.
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