TikTok continues to operate in the United States after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday delaying implementation of a ban on the app for 75 days.
However, the popular short video app remains unavailable for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play in the US.
The executive order postpones the shutdown initially scheduled for January 19, giving the Trump administration more time to assess the situation. Trump suggested that the US government take a 50% ownership stake in TikTok’s US business, adding that tariffs could be imposed on China if a deal fails.
The move follows a period of uncertainty after TikTok was temporarily shut down on Saturday as a law requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to withdraw the app took effect. While the app and website were restored the next day, TikTok is still inaccessible through major app stores.
Trump’s order directs the Justice Department to issue assurances to companies such as Apple and Google that they will not face penalties for allowing TikTok operations. It also directs federal agencies to delay implementation to allow a decision on TikTok ownership to be made.
The legality of Trump’s executive order remains unclear. The law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok passed with bipartisan support in Congress, was signed by former President Joe Biden, and upheld by the Supreme Court. Critics, including Rep. Frank Pallone, say the order circumvents national security legislation.
China has responded cautiously, suggesting for the first time that it may be open to a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. China’s Foreign Ministry stressed on Monday and again on Tuesday that companies must make decisions about their operations independently.
While TikTok users in the United States continue to access the app, its absence from app stores raises questions about its long-term viability and whether Apple and Google will bring it back after Trump’s order. The outcome of negotiations between ByteDance, US authorities, and potential stakeholders remains a focal point in US-China trade relations.