The United States and China have reached a tentative framework deal regarding TikTok’s ownership and control. This popular social media platform currently has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. This move is particularly notable as it precedes a likely call in mid-April from U.S. President Donald Trump to Chinese President Xi Jinping. They might finalize the terms of the deal when they discuss it. Further input by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on how the deal protects American interests and national security limits. He emphasized that it provides equity to the Chinese side as well.
Since May, debate over selling TikTok has flared up. Now, alongside Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng’s delegation, Bessent and co. have faced off in cities like Berlin and London to address their nations’ more pernicious trade war. The TikTok agreement is an important step in moving the app’s ownership into U.S. control. This deal represents a significant breakthrough after months of negotiations marred by tariff spats and escalating rhetoric.
Bessent emphasized that national security should be a key priority for the United States during these negotiations. He underscored that the deal aims to protect American security interests while addressing the Chinese side. Bessent stated, “We have reached an agreement that respects U.S. interests and security, but is fair to the Chinese side.”
As part of the framework, TikTok’s deadline for finalizing the deal could be extended by 90 days to allow more time for completion. This extension reflects both parties’ acknowledgment of the complexities involved in concluding a deal that satisfies legal and regulatory requirements.
Wang Jingtao, head of the Chinese cyberspace regulator’s international cooperation department, said the agreement could include IP licensing. This is especially true with regard to TikTok’s algorithms. This part of the agreement could be extremely important. It would go a long way toward alleviating U.S. concerns over data security and keeping the Chinese government from being able to access user information.
By way of comparison, Chinese officials have made clear their disdain for U.S. policy moves. Li Chenggang, China’s vice minister of commerce and Beijing’s top trade negotiator, defined U.S. security concerns as “unilateral bullying.” He warned that you can’t pressure China and at the same time try to crack down on its companies. His comments bring to light the complicated web of interests that the two countries are contending with.
Back in 2020, President Trump took a victory lap on TikTok’s influence on his re-election campaign—a largely unfounded claim. He runs a personal account which has over 15 million followers. In light of this agreement, he remarked, “They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!!”
The meeting at Spain’s baroque Palacio de Santa Cruz marked the fourth round of negotiations in four months aimed at addressing strained trade relations and TikTok’s impending divestiture deadline. Any deal they hammer out would still need to be approved by Congress, which is currently in Republican hands.
While Congress was rightfully alarmed in 2024, they acted too late. They made that move in response to the Chinese government’s very real threats to access sensitive user data. This new context makes the already charged ongoing negotiations even more complicated as officials on all sides try and arrive at a deal both sides can live with.
