TikTok Deal Takes Shape: Trump to Discuss with China This Week

A “pretty much” secured deal for TikTok has President Trump poised to begin discussions with China on Monday or Tuesday. This announcement suggests significant progress in the ongoing efforts to address concerns over the popular app’s ownership.
The potential for high-level meetings, possibly involving President Xi Jinping, underscores the diplomatic importance of the TikTok issue. This comes after Trump’s decision to extend the divestiture deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to September 17, providing more time for a resolution.
Previous efforts to finalize a sale, which involved spinning off TikTok’s US operations, were reportedly stalled by China’s disapproval in response to new US tariffs. This history reveals the delicate balance of power and interests at play.
While expressing a good rapport with President Xi, Trump acknowledged that China’s approval is not guaranteed, expressing a degree of uncertainty. This dynamic has fueled criticism from Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who argues that the executive orders are an attempt to bypass legal requirements.