- greensea
- 20 Jan 2025 12:52 AM
- Global News
TikTok Restores Services in the U.S., Credits Donald Trump for Temporary Extension
TikTok, the widely popular short-video app, has resumed services in the United States after a brief shutdown. This development comes after President-elect Donald Trump assured a temporary pause on a federal ban that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. Trump, set to take office on January 20, intervened to give the platform time to “make a deal” and comply with federal regulations.
Background of the Ban
The federal ban on TikTok stemmed from concerns over national security, with U.S. officials alleging that ByteDance could share user data with the Chinese government. A previous order issued during Trump’s first term had aimed to ban dealings with ByteDance and WeChat, but these actions were blocked by the courts.
The ban came into effect just days before Trump’s return to power, after being unanimously upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The order also allowed a sitting president to grant a 90-day extension if a viable sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations was underway.
On Sunday, TikTok faced a brief shutdown, leaving over 170 million U.S. users without access to the platform.
Trump’s Changed Stance on TikTok
Donald Trump, who had been a staunch advocate for banning TikTok during his first term, appears to have softened his stance. Analysts suggest this shift is influenced by the app's role in engaging young voters during his 2024 presidential campaign.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump explained his reasoning:
He wants to ensure TikTok remains operational while transferring control to U.S.-based stakeholders.
He envisions the U.S. taking a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture, claiming this could increase the app's value to “hundreds of billions—maybe trillions.”
“By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands,” Trump wrote.
TikTok’s Response
TikTok issued a statement confirming the restoration of its services and thanking Trump for his intervention:
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”
TikTok reassured users that the platform is working to comply with federal requirements and will remain operational while a deal is finalized.
Despite the restoration, users reported that TikTok remained unavailable for download on Google Play and Apple App Stores.
Challenges Ahead
While Trump’s promise has temporarily saved TikTok, significant challenges remain:
Legal Uncertainty: The Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding the ban creates a complex legal scenario for TikTok’s operations in the U.S.
Compliance Deadline: ByteDance must reach a deal within the 90-day extension period to avoid further disruptions.
Ownership Transfer: Trump’s vision of U.S. ownership raises questions about how such a transaction would be structured and who the key stakeholders would be.
Impact on U.S.-China Relations
Trump’s intervention comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. The move to secure U.S. control over TikTok aligns with Trump’s broader policy of economic and technological decoupling from China.
However, analysts warn that forcing ByteDance to divest could further strain bilateral relations, potentially leading to retaliatory actions from China.
What’s Next for TikTok?
As of now, TikTok is back in operation, much to the relief of its millions of U.S. users. The next steps will depend on:
Whether ByteDance can secure a deal that satisfies U.S. national security concerns.
How the federal government implements Trump’s vision for joint U.S. ownership of the app.
Legal challenges that may arise during this process.
TikTok’s restoration in the U.S. represents a temporary win for the platform and its users. President-elect Donald Trump’s intervention has bought ByteDance time to negotiate a deal, but the future remains uncertain. The coming months will be critical in determining TikTok’s fate in the U.S., with significant implications for technology, business, and geopolitics.
