Trump and Xi Approve TikTok Deal, Leaders to Meet Soon
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have approved a deal concerning the popular social media platform TikTok, paving the way for the app’s continued operation in the United States. The agreement comes amid ongoing trade and technology tensions between the two nations and is expected to remove barriers that previously threatened TikTok’s future in the American market.
The two leaders are expected to meet during an upcoming regional summit in South Korea, where they will discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues. According to reports, Trump and Xi held a phone conversation during which they finalised the terms of the TikTok agreement, clearing the way for the platform to resume normal operations in the United States.
Deal Details and Key Conditions
Trump announced on social media that both leaders had given their approval to the deal and that Xi had been invited to visit the United States. He added that the two sides would continue to engage on issues such as trade, fentanyl control, the Ukraine conflict, and technology cooperation.
The U.S. government had previously expressed concerns over the Chinese government’s potential access to user data collected by TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. Washington’s primary condition for lifting restrictions was that ByteDance divest its controlling stake in TikTok to an American entity, thereby eliminating security risks associated with data sharing.
In addition to ownership concerns, U.S. officials also raised questions about TikTok’s algorithm — the proprietary system that curates and displays content to users — fearing it could be manipulated for disinformation or political influence. With the agreement in place, these concerns are expected to be addressed through stricter regulatory oversight and transparency requirements.
Broader Strategic Significance
The TikTok deal is being seen as a significant de-escalation in the ongoing technology and trade disputes between Washington and Beijing. It comes as both nations seek to stabilise bilateral relations and cooperate on broader global challenges, including regional security, economic partnerships, and supply chain resilience.
Chinese state media highlighted the importance of stable diplomatic relations during the leaders’ phone call, emphasising cooperation over confrontation. The meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to set the tone for future negotiations on a range of critical issues affecting global trade and technology governance.
The agreement also follows recent developments in U.S.-China economic relations, including debates over investment restrictions, semiconductor export controls, and data security laws. Analysts believe that the successful resolution of the TikTok dispute could serve as a model for addressing similar technology-related conflicts in the future.
