Supplier received my T/T payment but payment is still not linked to my Trade Assurance order

I placed a second order with a supplier on Alibaba for $5,550. My first order with them arrived without any problems but I used credit card.

For this order, I selected T/T through the Alibaba payment portal. Alibaba shows that the beneficiary account was credited, but the payment is still listed as “awaiting supplier to link.”

The supplier has also provided a FedEx tracking number, but it currently only says “label created.” Incoterms are ddp.

The supplier keeps saying he will link in a “couple of hours” but never does.

I already contacted customer service and they said they will email the supplier to link.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Is my T/T payment still protected by Trade Assurance while it is waiting to be linked?

What happens if the supplier delays linking the payment?

Is there anything else I should document to protect myself?