President Donald Trump, in a statement on Friday, revealed that the United States is set to commence negotiations with China concerning the future of the popular social media platform, TikTok. The discussions, which may kick off as early as next Monday or Tuesday, come amid a complex backdrop of trade relations and national security concerns.
During an impromptu press briefing, Trump mentioned that the talks might involve Chinese President Xi Jinping or his representatives. “We pretty much have a deal,” he declared, signaling optimism while acknowledging the necessity of Chinese approval for any potential agreement. ByteDance, the Beijing-based company that owns TikTok, has been under intense scrutiny by U.S. officials who have raised alarms over potential national security risks associated with the app's data handling practices.
The announcement followed a report by the New York Post, which indicated that a buyer for TikTok's U.S. operations had been identified. Nevertheless, Trump emphasized that the green light from China remains the primary hurdle. Sources close to the matter suggest that TikTok is being wielded as a strategic asset in the broader U.S.-China trade discussions, with Beijing recognizing the app's significance to Trump and his desire to maintain its U.S. presence.
The ongoing trade talks have been a battleground of leverage, with ByteDance required by U.S. law to divest its American operations. In the recent past, Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for this divestiture to September 17, marking the third such extension since his return to the Oval Office in January. The negotiations over TikTok are a fraction of the wider economic dialogue between the two global powerhouses.
The trade landscape has been tumultuous, with Trump imposing significant tariffs on Chinese imports — at one point reaching 145% — which have since been moderated as part of efforts to alleviate other trade tensions. These tariffs disrupted earlier plans by American investors to acquire TikTok's U.S. business.
On the matter of securing China's cooperation, Trump expressed cautious optimism. His personal rapport with President Xi could be an influential factor, as he noted their "great relationship." He further stressed that a deal with TikTok would serve the interests of both nations.
The legislative backdrop is also noteworthy. In 2024, Congress passed a law mandating ByteDance either to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban. The Senate and House passed the bill with overwhelming majorities, and President Joe Biden signed it into law. Trump, who had been critical of TikTok during his first tenure for data privacy concerns, has since sought to facilitate the platform's operation under American ownership after being banned from major U.S.-based tech platforms post the January 6 Capitol riot.
As the U.S. and China prepare to resume dialogue, the world watches to see if an agreement on TikTok's U.S. operations can be reached, an outcome that could have significant implications for trade relations and the digital landscape. Updates on the negotiations are anticipated as they unfold next week.
