Trump Reveals Tentative TikTok Deal; Formal Talks With China Expected Soon

In a recent announcement aboard Air Force One, former U.S. President Donald Trump shared that the United States has “pretty much” secured a preliminary agreement regarding the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Trump noted that while the framework of the deal is in place, critical discussions with China are still pending. These high-level negotiations, which might involve Chinese President Xi Jinping or senior officials, are likely to commence as early as Monday or Tuesday.

Trump’s remarks, made on July 4, 2025, highlight a renewed push to resolve the long-standing dispute over TikTok’s ownership in the United States. Despite expressing optimism about reaching a solution, Trump acknowledged uncertainty about whether China would ultimately give its approval. The requirement for Beijing’s consent stems from its tight regulatory grip over large domestic technology firms and skepticism about forced divestitures driven by foreign governments.

The sale process has faced repeated delays due to escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting resistance from China that complicated previous attempts to finalize a deal. As a result, the American administration extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its U.S. assets until September 17, 2025.

This effort is tied to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), which mandates ByteDance to either sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The law, passed last year, was created out of concern that foreign-owned apps could pose security and privacy risks to American users.

Trump previously mentioned in late June that a group of wealthy American investors had been identified as potential buyers, pending China’s approval. The current talks are expected to address not just the ownership transfer but also data protection and operational independence to satisfy both U.S. national security requirements and Chinese regulatory concerns.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the deal can be finalized. A successful agreement would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S., easing tensions between the two economic superpowers at least temporarily. Yet with geopolitical dynamics still fragile, the final outcome remains uncertain.