President Trump indicated that a TikTok deal is “pretty much” solid, with discussions with China slated to begin on Monday or Tuesday. This signals an advanced stage in the negotiations for the popular video app’s US operations.
The president also alluded to the possibility of exchanging visits with Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the diplomatic weight of the situation. Trump’s extension of the divestiture deadline to September 17 marks the third such reprieve for ByteDance.
Previous efforts to establish a US-majority-owned TikTok entity were reportedly stalled by China’s disapproval, a reaction tied to the imposition of new US tariffs. This demonstrates the intertwined nature of trade and tech in the bilateral relationship.
While expressing optimism about his connection with President Xi and the mutual benefits of a deal, Trump conceded that China’s final approval is not a certainty. This ongoing situation has drawn scrutiny from Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who argues that Trump’s executive orders are an attempt to sidestep the law.