U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will begin TikTok deal talks with China early next week. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said talks could start as soon as Monday or Tuesday.
Trump added that the United States “pretty much” has a deal in place for the sale of TikTok. However, he noted that final approval might still be needed from China.
“I think we’re gonna start Monday or Tuesday, talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives,” Trump said. He also added, “We pretty much have a deal.”
TikTok, a popular short-video app, is owned by China-based company ByteDance. The U.S. government has expressed concerns about user data and national security. Because of this, the White House has pressured ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets.
Last month, Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok operations until September 17.
Earlier this year, a deal was in progress to spin off TikTok’s U.S. business into a separate company. The proposed firm would be majority-owned and controlled by American investors. But that deal was delayed after China signaled disapproval, especially after Trump imposed new tariffs on Chinese goods.
Now, with TikTok deal talks with China back on the table, both countries may need to agree before the sale can move forward. Trump admitted that getting China’s approval may be necessary. “We’ll probably have to get it approved by China,” he said.
When asked if he was confident about China agreeing, Trump said, “I’m not confident, but I think so.” He added that he has a good relationship with President Xi and believes the deal could benefit both sides.
The outcome of the TikTok deal talks with China will likely shape the future of the app in the United States.
In related tech-policy news, the U.S. House approved a bill to force TikTok’s divestment or face a ban, highlighting the growing pressure around TikTok’s U.S. future. Catch the full story.
