Welcome back for another installment of the internet’s favorite geopolitical thriller. If you’re experiencing a sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. We find ourselves once again facing the threat of a ban deadline, this time the January 23rd cutoff for the latest executive order to keep the app alive.
However, despite the Trump administration’s victory lap back in September about “saving” the platform, the deafening silence from the actual companies involved is louder than a viral sound bite on mute. As of now, neither TikTok nor its parent company, ByteDance, has actually confirmed that a deal is signed, sealed, and delivered.
Let’s back up here, because the gaslighting going on here is impressive. Back in September, the White House hosted a party to celebrate that President Trump had solved the crisis. The plan was that an Oracle-led partnership would take the reins of a U.S.-specific version of the app. This would meet the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (a legislative mouthful that came into effect on January 19, 2025).
The rule is simple: ByteDance has to sell TikTok to U.S. owners to prevent potential Chinese surveillance or be kicked out of the app stores.
Trump’s team was so sure they had this one in the bag that they held a press conference to say the app was safe. The catch? It appears no one bothered to see if the deal was actually made. And guess what? Announcing a deal and signing a deal aren’t the same thing. Who knew?
Since that prematurely festive announcement, we have been operating on nothing but speculation.
In December, there were rumors that TikTok was briefing its staff on the sale, which eased the nerves of influencers who were terrified of losing their livelihoods. In reality, we have no official confirmation that the ink is dry.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government is not exactly in a hurry to sign the divorce papers. On Christmas Day, He Yongqian of China’s Ministry of Commerce made this lukewarm statement: “The Chinese government hopes that relevant parties can reach a solution regarding TikTok that complies with Chinese laws and regulations and achieves a balance of interests.” It’s like saying: "We aren't doing anything unless we get something out of it."
He also pointed out that although there may be a “preliminary framework,” Beijing demands a “fair and non-discriminatory environment.” That’s code for “stop threatening us with tariffs.” And speaking of which, Trump has threatened “100% tariffs” on Chinese exports, although he has currently put that on hold in order to negotiate fentanyl distribution. It’s a game of high-stakes poker, and your “For You” page is the chip.
Technically speaking, the agreement had to be implemented by the date of January 23rd, not simply reached. Unless there is a mountain of paperwork being filed behind the scenes, the TikTok-U.S. split is nowhere near being finished. The likely consequence? Get ready for President Trump to issue yet another executive order, which will be his fifth, to further delay enforcement. This is the classic "kick the can down the road" approach. This will give everyone more time to fight over the fine print while ensuring that 170 million Americans do not wake up to a blank screen.
But don't get too comfortable. Some senators are already grumbling about preventing these delays. I don't think the ban hammer falls right away, U.S.-China relations have been surprisingly chill lately, but if the winds change, China can still spike the deal and kick the app out of the market altogether. But expect an update from the White House anytime soon. Until then, just keep scrolling, but maybe don’t get too attached to your drafts.
