The Trump administration and China have reached a framework agreement to keep TikTok operational in the United States, concluding a yearslong effort that began during President Donald Trump’s first term.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that commercial terms have been agreed upon between two private parties, though specifics remain undisclosed.
President Trump is scheduled to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to finalize the deal.
The agreement aims to transfer control of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to U.S.-based ownership, addressing national security concerns over user data and algorithm transparency.
While Chinese officials have not publicly commented, they have expressed interest in preserving certain “Chinese characteristics” of the app, which they view as soft power. However, Bessent emphasized that U.S. priorities focus on national security, not the app’s cultural elements.
The deal follows a 2024 U.S. law requiring TikTok to be sold or banned due to fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.
President Trump has postponed enforcement of this law multiple times during ongoing negotiations. The current extension is set to expire on September 17, but Bessent suggested that a 90-day delay could be implemented to finalize the agreement.
The framework agreement is part of broader trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, which have included discussions on tariffs, export controls and fentanyl precursor restrictions.
A fifth round of talks is anticipated in the coming weeks, with a potential summit between Trump and Xi to solidify a comprehensive trade agreement.
