U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have signaled progress in negotiations over the future of TikTok, with both leaders agreeing to meet face-to-face in South Korea next month. The development comes amid mounting pressure from Washington to secure a U.S.-controlled ownership structure for the popular video app or face a nationwide shutdown.
The two leaders spoke by phone on Friday in what marked their first direct conversation in three months. While Trump announced that Xi had given his approval for a TikTok agreement, Beijing’s statement was more cautious, stressing respect for corporate independence and calling for fair treatment of Chinese companies abroad. Despite the differences in tone, analysts say the call appeared to cool tensions, at least temporarily, between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump told reporters that the deal was “well on its way,” hinting at a potential signing ceremony in the coming weeks. The White House hopes to finalize the arrangement before a January 2025 deadline set by Congress that would otherwise force TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets. Beijing, however, avoided confirming any formal approval, instead emphasizing continued dialogue and equal treatment for Chinese firms.
The proposed agreement would see TikTok’s U.S. operations transferred to American owners, though ByteDance’s algorithm—the company’s prized technology—may still underpin the platform. This unresolved detail has fueled concerns in Washington about potential Chinese influence, espionage, and the app’s capacity to shape public opinion. Trump has assured lawmakers that “tight control” will be established but stopped short of clarifying whether the U.S. government would hold board seats or claim financial stakes.
The TikTok negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of wider U.S.-China tensions. Since returning to office, Trump has sharply increased tariffs on Chinese goods, triggering retaliatory measures from Beijing. Despite successive rounds of trade talks, the two sides remain locked in disputes over tariffs, access to markets, and security issues ranging from fentanyl exports to Beijing’s alignment with Russia. Still, Trump said Friday’s call also touched on shared concerns, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Xi expressing interest in seeing the war resolved.
ByteDance issued a statement thanking both presidents for their engagement, pledging to work toward a solution that would allow TikTok to continue serving U.S. users while complying with Chinese regulations. Yet skepticism remains in both countries. Some Chinese citizens voiced doubts about Washington’s intentions, arguing that the U.S. seeks to weaken Chinese firms under the guise of security. Meanwhile, American lawmakers are pressing for stricter safeguards to prevent Chinese interference in the app’s operations.
Beyond TikTok, Trump and Xi agreed to hold broader talks on trade, illicit drug trafficking, and global security on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, at the end of October. Trump also announced plans to visit China early next year, with Xi expected to make a reciprocal trip to the U.S. later. Observers note that both leaders are keen to project strength at home while signaling openness to cooperation abroad.
For now, the TikTok saga encapsulates the delicate balancing act between Washington and Beijing. Trump is eager to avoid alienating millions of American users while advancing his hardline trade agenda, and Xi is navigating the need to protect national champions like ByteDance without derailing fragile diplomatic progress. The outcome of the negotiations—and the planned summit in South Korea—could set the tone for the next chapter in U.S.-China relations.
