'It’ll either be closed up, or they’ll sell it': Trump insists no extension of TikTok deadline as president again says it could be shut down

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Donald Trump has said that he will not extend the deadline for TikTok’s ban in the United States.

On 7 August, Mr Trump signed an executive order against the app, meaning TikTok has to either be purchased by an American company or be removed from the country. 

Various technology companies, including rival viral video app Triller, Walmart and Microsoft, and Oracle have reportedly bid for the app.

However, new legislation from China may delay the sale of TikTok. The video app has also said it plans to sue the Trump administration over the order.

"We'll either close up TikTok in this country for security reasons, or it'll be sold," Mr Trump said just before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base.

"I'm not extending deadlines. No. It's September 15. There will be no extension of the TikTok deadline."

According to the executive order, TikTok would not be banned in the United States until 20 September, five days after the date Mr Trump told reporters.

However the deadline could be delayed as courts consider the arguments of Bytedance, TikTok’s parent company, for why TikTok should remain in the country.

Both TikTok itself and experts have said that Mr Trump’s ban could be found illegal under the First Amendment. 

The Independent has reached out to TikTok for comment.

Across the world, other companies have made the decision to separate themselves from Chinese firms rather than face sanctions.

On Wednesday PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) announced that the Chinese technology giant Tencent will no longer be its publishing partner in India,  one week after the Indian government banned the app.

It is unclear whether this will result in the application returning to the country, but as the Trump administration’s executive orders directly reference the Indian government’s legislation, it is a possible indicator for future actions of Chinese firms.

It has also been suggested that the internet could split into an East-West divide should bans like these continue.