US President Donald Trump has extended by 75 days a deadline for Chinese tech giant ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US operations, pushing the new cutoff to mid-June.

The video-sharing app, used by 170 million Americans, had faced a ban under a 2024 law mandating ByteDance sell its US assets by January 19. However, Trump, who began his second term on January 20, opted not to enforce the measure.

“The deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed,” Trump wrote on social media Friday. “We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal… We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark’.”

Trump’s remarks follow a sharp escalation in US-China trade tensions. This week, he increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 54%, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing. Trump signalled openness to easing tariffs if a TikTok deal is secured.

Talks are reportedly progressing on a plan for US investors—led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic—to acquire TikTok’s American operations by reducing Chinese ownership below 20%, as required by US law. Walmart is also said to be considering participation.

A key obstacle remains Chinese government approval, which has not yet been granted. Trump’s comments suggest growing resistance from Beijing.

The bipartisan law targeting TikTok, signed by then-President Biden in 2024, cites national security concerns over potential Chinese surveillance and influence.

The US Justice Department previously assured Apple and Google it would not enforce the ban, allowing TikTok to remain available for download.