America and China have reached a breakthrough settlement on TikTok’s future, paving the way in which for the video-sharing app to switch into US-controlled possession after years of political wrangling.
US commerce consultant Jamieson Greer confirmed on Monday that negotiators had struck a framework cope with Beijing following high-level talks in Madrid. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent mentioned the business phrases had been finalised between “two personal events”, however declined to reveal particulars, including solely that the Chinese language delegation had made “aggressive asks” throughout the negotiations.
China’s prime commerce envoy, Li Chenggang, later confirmed that consensus had been reached on the essential framework. Whereas calling the talks “exhausting gained”, he cautioned Washington towards persevering with what he described because the “suppression” of Chinese language corporations, warning that cooperation couldn’t be one-sided.
The settlement marks a significant turning level in a long-running dispute that has threatened to see TikTok banned outright within the US. The app’s guardian firm, Beijing-based ByteDance, was ordered in 2024 to divest its US arm beneath laws signed by then-president Joe Biden. His successor, Donald Trump, has repeatedly prolonged the deadline however stored up strain on either side to strike a deal.
The US has greater than 135 million TikTok customers, together with the White Home, which controversially launched its personal account in August regardless of federal gadgets nonetheless being banned from utilizing the app. The safety considerations fuelling the row centre on fears that Chinese language nationwide safety legal guidelines might compel ByteDance handy over American person information or manipulate content material. Former FBI director Christopher Wray has beforehand warned of the chance of mass surveillance or affect operations.
TikTok briefly went darkish in January when the unique ban deadline expired, with Apple and Google eradicating the app from their shops. Trump reversed the shutdown inside hours of taking workplace, issuing an govt order to delay enforcement, earlier than granting a number of additional extensions.
The possession saga stretches again to 2020 when Trump first ordered ByteDance to promote TikTok or face a ban. Microsoft, Walmart and Oracle have been among the many US corporations that explored offers, however no settlement was finalised. Oracle has remained TikTok’s US cloud supplier since 2022.
Ultimate particulars of the brand new deal are anticipated to be settled when Trump meets China’s president Xi Jinping on Friday. Trump hinted at progress throughout the talks, posting on Reality Social: “A deal was additionally reached on a ‘sure’ firm that younger folks in our Nation very a lot wish to save. They are going to be very glad!”
Greer confirmed the framework was now awaiting approval from each leaders, insisting there could be no additional delays: “We’re not going to be within the enterprise of getting repetitive extensions. We’ve a deal.”
