United States President Donald Trump announced plans to initiate discussions with China as early as Monday or Tuesday regarding a potential deal for the short-video app TikTok. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that negotiations with Chinese officials — possibly including President Xi Jinping or his representatives — were expected to resume shortly.
“I think we’re gonna start Monday or Tuesday […] talking to China, perhaps President Xi Jinping or one of his representatives, but we would pretty much have a deal,” Trump said, suggesting that the agreement is close to being finalized but still subject to some negotiation.
Deadline Looms for TikTok’s US Divestment
The announcement comes as a key deadline approaches for TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance. In a prior decision, Trump extended a previous deadline, giving ByteDance until September 17 to divest its US operations or face a potential ban. This extension was seen as a move to allow for more time to secure a mutually agreeable solution that would satisfy both US national security concerns and Chinese regulatory interests.
The TikTok deal has been a source of tension between Washington and Beijing for over a year, with the Trump administration insisting that US user data should be controlled and protected by American companies. The sale or restructuring of TikTok’s US operations has been proposed as a way to address these concerns.
Deal Nearing Completion but Subject to China’s Approval
According to Trump, the US has already reached the framework of a deal. However, he acknowledged that it would likely require final approval from the Chinese government. When asked how confident he was that China would agree to the terms, Trump responded cautiously: “I’m not confident, but I think so.”
He added, “President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it’s good for them. I think the deal is good for China and it’s good for us.” His remarks suggest optimism but also highlight the uncertainty that continues to surround the deal’s future, especially given recent tensions over trade and technology.
Previous Attempts at a Deal Stalled
Earlier this year, a deal had been in development to spin off TikTok’s US business into a new company majority-owned by American investors. This move was intended to alleviate US security concerns while maintaining the app’s global operations. However, progress stalled when China signaled that it would not approve such a deal. The roadblock came shortly after Trump imposed new tariffs on Chinese goods, further straining the relationship between the two economic superpowers.
China’s reluctance to approve the initial deal underscored the broader geopolitical conflict at play. For Beijing, the TikTok issue represents not just a business transaction, but also a matter of national sovereignty and control over its global technology firms.
Trump Reiterates Confidence in a Mutually Beneficial Outcome
Despite the complications, Trump has continued to express confidence in the potential for a successful agreement. Last week, during an interview with Fox News, he stated that a buyer for TikTok had already been found, although he did not disclose the name or details of the prospective transaction.
He reiterated that any agreement involving TikTok would likely require China’s approval but predicted that President Xi would eventually agree to the terms. “I think it’s good for both sides,” Trump repeated, emphasizing the potential benefits for both the United States and China if a fair deal is reached.
The negotiations over TikTok are part of a broader context of ongoing tensions between the US and China, involving trade, technology, and cybersecurity. As the deadline approaches and talks resume, all eyes will be on whether the two countries can strike a deal that satisfies both their economic interests and national security priorities.
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