President Trump on Tuesday extended the deadline for a ban on TikTok again, this time until December, as reports indicated a potential deal with China includes the launch of a new app under U.S. control.
Why it matters: The repeated extensions come despite Congress passing a law just last year, with bipartisan support, to force the app's immediate sale or ban.
Driving the news: The new extension gives TikTok a reprieve until Dec. 16.
- Without it, the long-delayed ban would have kicked in on Wednesday.
The big picture: U.S. officials said this week that there is a framework deal in place with China, which Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to discuss Friday.
- The outlines of that deal have not been released, though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday the terms would allow the app to retain "Chinese characteristics."
Zoom in: The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that U.S. users would be asked to move to a new app, being tested by TikTok engineers, and with a new algorithm for recommending content licensed from TikTok parent ByteDance.
- That algorithm is TikTok's crown jewel, and control over it was seen as key to any deal.
- The new app would be controlled by an entity 80% owned by U.S. businesses, with one board member designated by the U.S. government.
Editor's note: This is a developing story.
