Trump and Xi Push TikTok Deal to Break U.S.–China Gridlock – 19 Sept 2025

Trump and Xi Target TikTok Deal to Ease U.S.–China Tensions

On 19 September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-level phone call aimed at breaking the stalemate in bilateral relations.

At the heart of the conversation was TikTok, the wildly popular short-video platform owned by China’s ByteDance, and its uncertain future in the United States.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok to be sold to non-Chinese owners or face a nationwide U.S. ban by January 2025.

Although the deadline has been delayed, the pressure remains.

Washington’s national-security officials argue that Chinese influence over the app’s algorithms and user data poses a persistent risk.

The two leaders discussed a proposal for the transfer of TikTok’s U.S. assets to American investors, along with guarantees that the platform’s algorithms and content moderation will operate independently of any Chinese oversight.

While neither side disclosed the full terms, negotiators are exploring mechanisms to ensure data protection and algorithmic transparency.

This was the first direct Trump–Xi conversation in three months and is being viewed as a potential stepping-stone toward a wider thaw in U.S.–China relations.

Both governments signaled interest in an in-person meeting at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic summit, where trade disputes, technology controls, and security issues are expected to dominate.

Key sticking points remain.

American lawmakers insist on strict safeguards that sever any hidden links to Chinese state entities.

Chinese officials, meanwhile, have been cautious about allowing core algorithm technology—considered a strategic asset—to leave Chinese control.

For Trump, the stakes are both political and economic.

He has repeatedly said he “likes TikTok” for its millions of U.S. users and sees a negotiated settlement as preferable to an outright ban that could alienate young voters and digital creators.

Yet any deal must still win approval from Congress, where some members warn that a partial sale or licensing agreement might not meet legal requirements.

The TikTok talks also intersect with broader disputes over tariffs, semiconductor export controls, and Taiwan.

A successful arrangement could provide a rare moment of cooperation and signal that the world’s two largest economies can manage their rivalry without further escalation.

If finalized, the agreement would allow TikTok to avoid a U.S. shutdown while giving Washington stronger guarantees over data privacy and content independence—potentially setting a global precedent for how governments handle foreign-owned tech platforms.