Trump Says TikTok Deal Framework Reached
US President Donald Trump said a framework agreement has been reached with China over the future of TikTok. He announced that he will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping this Friday to finalise the deal.
What Is Known So Far
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the two countries have made progress in trade talks in Madrid, leading to this preliminary framework. However, many of the commercial details remain undisclosed.
Key Issues & Legal Context
The agreement aims to address US concerns over national security tied to TikTok’s ownership, algorithm management, and data handling. This follows a US law passed in 2024 which requires ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its US operations or face a ban.
Reactions & Next Steps
While the US side has expressed optimism, China has yet to issue a full confirmation. Lawmakers in the US are monitoring the deal closely to ensure it complies with existing laws. The coming call between Trump and Xi is seen as a crucial step in finalizing terms.
