You may soon hear about a new TikTok deal taking shape, as President Donald Trump has announced the United States will start discussions with China as early as this week.
During a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on July 5, Trump revealed that talks are set to begin on Monday or Tuesday. He suggested the negotiations may involve Chinese President Xi Jinping or one of his representatives.
“I think we’re gonna start Monday or Tuesday… talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives,” Trump said. “But we pretty much have a deal.”
Ongoing pressure to separate TikTok from Chinese control
If you’ve been following the ongoing saga, you’ll remember that Trump extended a deadline last month to September 17. By then, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, is expected to divest its U.S. assets.
The main goal? To transfer control of the short-video platform’s American operations to a company that’s based and operated in the U.S., with majority U.S. ownership. This move is part of Trump’s wider effort to address what he calls a national security threat posed by Chinese apps and technology companies operating within the United States.
The talks follow a proposed deal that stalled earlier this year. The original plan was to spin off TikTok’s U.S. branch into a newly created U.S.-based firm. However, progress was halted when China pushed back. Their refusal followed Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Chinese imports — a decision that added more tension to an already complicated trade and tech relationship between the two countries.
Approval from China is still needed
Despite Trump’s positive tone about the deal, he admitted the outcome is uncertain. When asked how likely it is that China would approve the deal, Trump said: “I’m not confident, but I think so.”
He went on to say that his relationship with Chinese President Xi remains strong, and he believes that reaching an agreement would be mutually beneficial. “President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it’s good for them. I think the deal is good for China, and it’s good for us,” he added.
What’s at stake for TikTok users and investors?
If you use TikTok or follow business and tech markets closely, this story will have caught your attention. The platform’s future in the U.S. has been under constant scrutiny for over a year now, with growing concerns over data privacy and foreign influence.
Trump’s administration has made it clear that any final deal must ensure that TikTok no longer poses a risk to American data security. That’s why the White House is pushing for a clean break — one that transfers the platform’s U.S. arm fully into the hands of American investors.
If China agrees to the terms, it could mark a major turning point in U.S.-China tech relations and reshape how foreign-owned apps are handled in the American market. But if talks fail, TikTok may face further legal or operational restrictions in the United States.
You can expect more news on this fast-moving situation as the week unfolds.
