In a surprising turn, former US President Donald Trump may extend the deadline for ByteDance to reach a deal concerning TikTok’s US operations. Initially set to be finalized by September 20, the deal faced uncertainty, but now there’s a chance for a brief extension, offering breathing room for the companies involved. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has been in talks with Oracle and Walmart to satisfy US national security concerns, following Trump’s executive order demanding TikTok’s sale.
The Treasury Department and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) are reviewing the proposal that would reportedly result in a new entity—TikTok Global—with Oracle and Walmart potentially taking a stake. While Oracle is expected to handle cloud infrastructure and data security, Walmart might contribute to e-commerce efforts.
The situation remains fluid, with the Trump administration signaling openness to a compromise. Steven Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow have been key voices in the negotiations, suggesting that an agreement aligning with US data protection standards could still be approved. As the deadline looms, all eyes are on ByteDance, Oracle, Walmart, and the White House to see if this high-stakes digital drama ends in a deal—or a shutdown.