The long-awaited TikTok deal between the United States and China may finally see progress next week. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that formal discussions regarding the short-video app’s future will begin on Monday or Tuesday. According to Trump, the United States has “pretty much” finalized a deal concerning TikTok’s American operations and is now preparing to talk directly with Chinese leadership.
“I think we’ll start on Monday or Tuesday…” Trump said, “talking to China, maybe President Xi or one of his people.” “We pretty much have a deal,” he said, which suggests that the talks are getting to a crucial point..
TikTok Deal: Trump Points to China’s Role in Final Approval
The U.S. government has laid out a plan for how TikTok will be owned in the future, but Trump said that getting China’s approval is still a big problem. The president said that China will probably have to agree to the deal, saying, “I’m not sure, but I think so.” Trump also talked about how close he is to Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could help things move forward. He said, “I think the deal is good for China and good for us.”
Timeline and Setbacks in the TikTok Deal
The TikTok saga began when the Trump administration raised concerns about national security risks linked to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, Byte Dance. In response, Trump had initially set a deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets. That deadline was later extended to September 17.
Earlier this year, a potential deal was in motion to create a U.S.-based version of TikTok, operated and majority-owned by American investors. However, those talks stalled after China pushed back against the plan, especially following Trump’s announcement of significant new tariffs on Chinese products.
As both countries prepare for fresh negotiations, the outcome of the TikTok deal could have broader implications for U.S.-China tech relations. If successful, it may open the door for further cooperation in the tech sector despite ongoing trade tensions. For now, all eyes are on Monday and Tuesday, when the next chapter in the TikTok saga officially begins.
