📢 Hey TikTok lovers! In a surprising twist, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban by 75 days. Originally set to be shut down on January 19, the app now has a bit more time on the clock. 🕰️
The order was signed immediately after Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. During the signing, Trump suggested that the U.S. government should become a half-owner of TikTok's U.S. business to keep the app alive. He also hinted at possible tariffs on China. 😲
China's Foreign Ministry responded on Monday, stating that companies should \"decide independently\" on their business operations and deals. 🇨🇳🤝
So far, ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, hasn't made an official statement. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was spotted at Trump's inauguration alongside other tech CEOs. While there's no confirmed talk between Chew and Trump about TikTok's future, his presence shows a willingness to engage with the new administration. 🤔
Timeline in a Tick-Tock ⏱️
The drama kicked off on Saturday when TikTok was taken offline for its 170 million American users, just before a law demanded it be sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance or face a ban. 😱
But wait! On Sunday, Trump announced plans to \"save TikTok.\" The app began restoring its services in the U.S. within hours. As of Monday, TikTok is up and running, but it's still missing from Apple's App Store and Google Play. 📲❌
Trump's executive order, signed hours after his inauguration, directs the attorney general to hold off on enforcing the law to give his team time to figure out the next steps for TikTok. Legal experts are scratching their heads, though. The law requiring TikTok's sale was passed with big support in Congress, signed by President Joe Biden, and upheld by the Supreme Court. 🏛️
The law doesn't allow Trump to extend the deadline unless ByteDance has \"binding agreements\" to sell TikTok, and it's unclear if any such deals exist. Plus, will Trump's order be enough to get TikTok back on the app stores? That's the million-dollar question. 💰
Stay tuned, folks! The TikTok saga continues, and we'll keep you in the loop with all the latest twists and turns. After all, we can't imagine our feeds without those catchy dances and viral challenges! 🕺💃
Reference(s):
What could follow after Trump signs TikTok order delaying ban?
cgtn.com
