President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States and China have reached an agreement regarding TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform owned by China-based ByteDance.
Washington has insisted that TikTok must come under US-controlled ownership to address national security concerns.
“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,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a state visit to Britain.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also commented on the progress, saying on Monday that the two sides were “very close” to a deal as trade talks resumed in Madrid. Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng opened discussions on Sunday to narrow differences on trade and technology that have strained relations between the two largest economies.
A federal law requiring TikTok’s sale or a ban on national security grounds was set to take effect the day before Trump’s inauguration in January. Initially, Trump had supported a ban or divestment, but he later reversed his position, citing the platform’s influence among young voters a key demographic in the 2024 election.
The latest extension for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer is set to expire on Wednesday, making the new agreement a timely resolution for the app’s continued operation in the United States.
