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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting a 75-day grace period for TikTok to continue operating in the United States. This decision delays enforcement of a law that would have banned the app due to national security concerns.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which took effect on 19 January, prohibits the distribution and updates of TikTok in the US. However, Trump’s order postpones its implementation, giving time to explore a resolution with ByteDance, the app’s Chinese owner.
Speaking from the White House, Trump proposed a partnership between US companies and ByteDance, suggesting a 50-50 joint venture. He credited TikTok for its role in engaging young voters during his campaign and expressed a newfound appreciation for the platform.
TikTok temporarily went offline in the US on Saturday as the initial ban deadline approached but resumed service on Sunday following Trump’s intervention. The app’s restoration was welcomed by millions of users and credited to the president's swift action.
The TikTok ban law was passed last year over concerns that the Chinese government could exploit the app to gather data on Americans or influence public opinion. Trump, however, aims to address these issues by creating a partnership that protects national security while preserving the platform’s operations.
The executive order also directs the attorney general to issue guidelines ensuring companies like Apple, Google, and Oracle are not penalised for supporting TikTok during the grace period. This allows them to continue hosting the app without facing legal consequences.
Trump stated that the pause gives his administration time to negotiate a deal that could potentially value TikTok at over a trillion dollars. “This is about protecting Americans and saving a platform used by 170 million people,” he said.
The order leaves the door open for further cooperation with ByteDance, subject to approval from China, while warning of potential tariffs if progress is blocked.