World
US, China Reach Deal on TikTok Ownership, Says Trump
The United States and China have reached an agreement on the future of TikTok, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, signaling an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the popular video-sharing app.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for a state visit to Britain, Trump said he had struck a deal with Beijing.
“We have a deal on TikTok, I’ve reached a deal with China, I’m going to speak to President Xi on Friday to confirm everything up,” he stated.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Monday that both sides were “very close” to finalizing the arrangement, with trade and technology discussions resuming in Madrid. Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday to bridge differences that have strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has been at the center of a heated debate in Washington over national security concerns. A federal law requiring TikTok to be sold to US-controlled ownership—or face a nationwide ban—was set to take effect just before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
However, Trump, whose 2024 presidential campaign relied heavily on social media and who has openly expressed his fondness for TikTok, delayed the ban. In June, he extended a deadline by 90 days to allow ByteDance time to secure a non-Chinese buyer. That extension is set to expire on Wednesday.
While Trump had initially pushed for a ban or forced divestment, he has since softened his stance, arguing that TikTok played a key role in helping him secure the support of younger voters during the November election.
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