Trump and Xi Reach Agreement on TikTok's Future in the US

Mon Sep 29 2025 01:34:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent discussion between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping resulted in a tentative agreement concerning TikTok's operations in the United States, with a potential sale to American investors on the horizon amidst ongoing security concerns.

In a phone call that both leaders described as 'productive,' President Trump announced that he and Xi Jinping had approved a deal for TikTok's US operations, despite conflicting reports from China's state media. Trump indicated a desire for US control of the app, while negotiations continue regarding its algorithm and ownership structure, amidst national security concerns and legislative scrutiny in the US.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement regarding TikTok's future in the United States during a phone call on Friday. While Trump expressed optimism about a deal involving the sale of TikTok’s US operations to a group of American investors, the details remain unclear as there was no official confirmation from Beijing.

In his communication via Truth Social, Trump referred to the discussion as productive, expressing gratitude for Xi's approval. Reports suggest that the deal would allow TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, to continue operating in the US under tighter regulations and controls by American investors.

China's state media agency Xinhua, however, presented a more ambiguous view, indicating that negotiations over TikTok were welcome but not confirmed. This lack of clarity sheds light on the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding the app's operations.

Previously, TikTok faced demands to sell its US business or face a potential ban due to concerns over user data privacy and national security threats, which the US government continues to investigate.

Trump's negotiations have seen repeated delays and extensions regarding a possible ban since the initial announcement was made in January. The deadline has recently been pushed back to December, with Trump hinting at further discussions at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.

Although Trump appears to support the continued operation of TikTok as part of his political agenda, concerns linger among US lawmakers about ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government and the implications for US user data.

During the phone call, Trump mentioned that further discussions are expected, including a meeting at the APEC Summit and future travel plans to China. He stressed the need for a deal to be formalized soon, indicating that it would involve significant control over TikTok's operations in the US, particularly regarding its algorithms, a crucial element fueling its popularity.

As the situation develops, the discussion's implications for international relations and the future of social media regulation remain critical, prompting close attention from both governments and users alike.