Trump and TikTok
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will begin formal talks with China this week regarding a potential agreement over the future of the popular social media app, TikTok.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump
stated that negotiations could begin as early as Monday or Tuesday,
adding that discussions may include direct communication with Chinese
President Xi Jinping or one of his representatives.
Deal on TikTok Ownership in Progress
Trump indicated that a deal is “largely in place”
concerning the sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets, referencing an ongoing agreement
that would transfer ownership to a new entity managed by American investors.
Last month, Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance —
TikTok’s parent company based in China — to sell its U.S. operations to September
17, after earlier negotiations stalled amid rising tensions between
Washington and Beijing.
China Previously Blocked Earlier Agreement
The original deal envisioned transferring TikTok's U.S.
operations into a new U.S.-based company with majority ownership held by
American investors. However, the agreement fell apart after China refused
to approve the transaction, particularly following the Trump administration’s
imposition of high tariffs on Chinese imports.
Trump noted that any final deal would likely require
Beijing’s approval, stating:
“I'm not certain of that, but I believe it will happen. I
have a great relationship with President Xi, and I think this deal would be
good for China and for us as well.”
