President Trump Issues Executive Order on TikTok, Delaying US Ban
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order temporarily shielding TikTok from a US ban, effective immediately. The order, which has drawn criticism from some experts, provides a 75-day window for the Trump administration to evaluate the implications of the recent law banning the app.
The order, issued on Monday, cites Trump's authority as president to protect national security and foreign policy interests. It states that the timing of the law's enactment has hindered the administration's ability to assess these concerns. Additionally, the order argues that the shutdown could have negative consequences for ongoing negotiations with TikTok and potential buyers.
The law, which took effect at midnight on Sunday, does not outright ban the app but prohibits users from accessing it through app stores and cloud services unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells its US operations to a non-adversarial owner.
Trump has previously expressed interest in the US acquiring a 50% stake in TikTok and has suggested imposing tariffs on China if an acceptable buyer is not identified. He has also floated a valuation of $1 trillion for the app.
The executive order has sparked debate, with some lawmakers and experts questioning Trump's authority to delay the ban. However, the order provides a short-term reprieve for TikTok while the administration explores options for resolving the national security concerns.
Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and US tech giants Apple, Google, and Microsoft remain involved in the discussions. As of Monday, the app remained unavailable on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The back-and-forth between Trump, TikTok, and US lawmakers is expected to continue in the coming weeks and months as the administration seeks a solution to the TikTok controversy.