Trump to issue executive order to suspend TikTok ban on inauguration day

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he will issue an executive order on the 20th, his inauguration day, to suspend the enforcement of the so-called "TikTok Prohibition Act."

Trump said on social media on the 19th local time that he would issue an executive order to extend the sale period of U.S. business rights in a law that requires the suspension of Chinese video-sharing platform "TikTok" in the U.S.

Trump said he would let the TikTok service be restored, adding that this would allow him to "make an agreement that protects national security."

It also asked related operators in the U.S. to ensure that TikTok services are not disrupted, saying those who responded to the demand would not be held legally liable under the TikTok ban, which took effect on Wednesday.

The U.S. Congress enacted a ban in April last year, saying TikTok's parent company, China ByteDance, was feared to threaten national security by collecting large amounts of American personal information.

The ban prohibits ByteDance from downloading new TikToks from the 19th if it does not sell its U.S. business rights to companies in the U.S.

According to the law, TikTok's service in the United States was suspended as of the night of the 18th.

Trump's comments are interpreted as an indication that he will invoke a rule that allows him to extend the deadline for the sale by 90 days in the event of "significant progress" regarding the sale in the TikTok ban.

It also proposed a plan to create a joint venture involving the TikTok parent company ByteDance and U.S. companies so that the U.S. side would have a half stake in the corporation.

Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term in office, actively used it for his campaign during the presidential election in November last year and expressed his opposition to the removal, saying, "Banning TikTok would anger young people."