 "Donald Trump and team plan to block or at least delay TikTok ban, want to see app sold to US business")
As Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House on 20 January, reports suggest he’s exploring options to delay a looming TikTok ban in the United States. The president-elect is reportedly considering issuing an executive order that could put off the enforcement of a law set to take effect on 19 January, which requires TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app’s US operations, as per a report by the Washinton Post.
The law mandates that, if the sale doesn’t happen by Sunday, new users will no longer be able to download TikTok in the US.
However, legal experts have raised questions about the grounds Trump would have for suspending a law passed by Congress. Despite these concerns, the move could potentially give Trump time to work out a solution.
TikTok’s US future on the line
Under the new law, TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance. If a sale does not occur by the deadline, the app could face a full shutdown in the country, with reports suggesting that TikTok is already preparing to block US users from accessing the app. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected soon, but based on recent hearings, it appears unlikely that the court will intervene to stop the law from going into effect.
Trump has previously expressed his fondness for the platform, stating that he holds “a warm spot” for TikTok. The report also states that Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the law to allow him time to find a “political resolution” once he takes office.
Potential 60-90 Day suspension in the works
Sources close to the matter have indicated that Trump’s team is contemplating an executive order that would temporarily suspend the law for 60 to 90 days, as per the Washington Post report. This would give them more time to work on a potential deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the US. Legal experts believe Trump could also try to extend the deadline for the app’s sale to buy more time for negotiations.
Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, mentioned that the administration is exploring ways to preserve TikTok while also ensuring the protection of American users’ data. TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, has even been invited to Trump’s inauguration, reportedly to sit in a position of honour, according to The New York Times.
US administration keeps options open
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has not ruled out the possibility of keeping TikTok open in the US. Reports indicate that officials are weighing their options and might leave the final decision for Trump to handle. This has led to speculation that TikTok could get a temporary reprieve. However, some market analysts believe this uncertainty has already started to affect rival social media platforms, with shares in Snap falling by nearly 4 per cent in anticipation of TikTok’s not getting banned in the US market.
As the deadline approaches, the situation remains fluid, with many eyes on Trump’s next move and whether TikTok will continue to thrive in the US or face an eventual ban.
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