Trump Signals TikTok Deal After China Negotiations, Xi Call Upcoming/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump hinted at a deal involving TikTok following U.S.–China talks, suggesting the platform many Americans “wanted to save” may avoid a shutdown. Trump plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. The fate of TikTok has been uncertain amid national security concerns over its Chinese ownership.
TikTok Deal Hints from Trump: Quick Looks
- Deal Implied: Trump says agreement reached on “a certain company” popular with youth.
- Likely TikTok: Social media app faces U.S. law mandating divestiture or shutdown.
- Ongoing Diplomacy: Trump to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping this Friday.
- TikTok Origins: Created by Chinese firm ByteDance, originally launched as Douyin in China.
- Musical.ly Merger: TikTok’s U.S. success came after acquiring and merging with Musical.ly.
- Pandemic Boost: Gained popularity during COVID-19 lockdowns with viral short videos.
- Competitor Reaction: Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts launched in response.
- Security Concerns: U.S. officials worry about ByteDance’s links to China’s government.
- Data Privacy Fears: Focus on the app’s algorithm and data collection practices.
- No China Confirmation: Beijing has yet to comment on the rumored deal.
Deep Look: Trump Hints at TikTok Deal Following Positive U.S.–China Talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has hinted that an agreement regarding the future of TikTok may have been reached following high-level talks between U.S. and Chinese officials, signaling a potential resolution to a years-long standoff over the app’s ownership and operations in the United States.
Posting on his social media platform, Trump said that discussions “went well” and referenced a deal involving “a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save.” While he didn’t name TikTok directly, the description strongly points to the embattled Chinese-owned social media platform.
TikTok’s Future in Limbo — Until Now?
Under U.S. law passed in 2024, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, was required to either divest its ownership or shut down TikTok’s U.S. operations due to national security concerns. Since then, Trump has repeatedly extended enforcement deadlines as negotiations continued between U.S. and Chinese officials.
On Sunday evening, Trump remained noncommittal when asked about the progress of those talks. However, he revealed that a call is scheduled for Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping—an indication that more formal agreements could be finalized or announced in the days ahead.
A Brief History of TikTok’s Meteoric Rise
TikTok, developed by ByteDance, is one of the most successful Chinese tech exports to date. ByteDance, founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Zhang Yiming, initially launched a short-form video app called Douyin for Chinese users. In 2016, it released the international version—TikTok—which later acquired and merged with U.S.-based Musical.ly, a lip-syncing app popular among teenagers.
That move helped TikTok make rapid inroads in the U.S. and Europe, standing out for its algorithm-driven content delivery that quickly adapts to user interests. Rather than relying on social networks, TikTok became a platform for viral trends and cultural movements, often through dance, humor, or music.
The app skyrocketed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, becoming a staple of online entertainment. Viral dance challenges and comedic skits brought light-hearted relief during a tense global period. In response, major tech rivals like Instagram and YouTube developed Reels and Shorts to compete, but TikTok remained dominant.
U.S. Government Concerns: Data, Influence, and Security
Despite its popularity, TikTok’s Chinese roots have drawn increasing scrutiny. U.S. officials across multiple administrations—beginning with Biden and continuing through Trump’s second term—have warned about potential national security threats due to Chinese laws that could compel companies like ByteDance to share user data with Beijing.
At the heart of the debate is the platform’s proprietary algorithm, which controls the “For You” feed—the main way users interact with the app. Critics fear that this algorithm could be used to influence public opinion or harvest sensitive personal data.
In 2024, Congress passed legislation that effectively gave ByteDance a deadline: divest TikTok or see it banned in the U.S. While the company insisted it had taken steps to separate its American operations and data, lawmakers remained skeptical.
TikTok Deal Could Ease U.S.–China Tech Tensions
Though Trump did not confirm TikTok by name in his post, the timing and context suggest a breakthrough may have occurred. The platform’s future has been a key sticking point in broader U.S.–China technology and trade relations.
China’s government has not yet responded to Trump’s claim, and no formal deal details have been released. However, the mention of a Friday call with Xi indicates further clarity is imminent.
What’s Next for TikTok?
If a deal has indeed been reached, it could take several forms:
- Partial Sale or Restructuring: ByteDance could sell off TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American company or consortium.
- Data Firewalls: New legal assurances could be introduced to protect U.S. user data from foreign access.
- Continued Operation with Oversight: TikTok may remain operational in the U.S. under strict regulatory oversight.
A finalized agreement could resolve years of uncertainty for TikTok’s 150+ million American users and thousands of U.S.-based creators and businesses that rely on the platform for reach and revenue.
Until Then, Uncertainty Remains
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, the lack of confirmation from Beijing and the absence of deal details suggest caution. Still, the possibility of TikTok surviving without forced divestiture or shutdown marks a major development in the U.S.–China tech standoff.
Whether it’s a win for diplomacy, tech policy, or simply TikTok’s devoted fanbase remains to be seen.
