President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that the U.S. and China have reached an agreement to keep TikTok operational in the United States.
The deal involves transferring the app’s U.S. assets to American owners from China’s ByteDance. This development could end a nearly year-long dispute over the popular short-video platform.
TikTok’s Massive User Base
TikTok boasts 170 million users in the U.S. alone. The agreement marks a significant step in ongoing negotiations between the world’s two largest economies. These talks aim to ease a broad trade war that has unsettled global markets.
Trump’s Comments on the Deal
“We have a deal on TikTok,” Trump stated. “We have a group of very big companies that want to buy it.”
He did not provide further specifics. The arrangement may need approval from the Republican-controlled Congress, which enacted a 2024 law under the Biden administration.
That legislation mandated divestiture due to concerns over Chinese government access to U.S. user data for spying or influence campaigns.
Extensions of the Deadline
The Trump administration has avoided enforcing the shutdown law three times. Officials worried it would upset millions of users and hinder political outreach.
Trump himself credits TikTok for aiding his 2024 re-election, where his account gained 15 million followers. Last month, the White House even started an official TikTok account.
Timeline and Structure of the Agreement
Reports suggest the deal could close in 30 to 45 days. It would involve existing ByteDance investors alongside new ones. A framework was finalized by officials on Monday after intense discussions. The White House played an active role in these high-stakes negotiations.
Broader Trade Context
Amid rising tensions, U.S. and Chinese representatives addressed the divestment alongside tariffs and tech export rules. A final confirmation is set for Friday during a call between Trump and President Xi Jinping.
This aligns with earlier spring efforts, which stalled after China’s resistance to Trump’s tariff proposals on Chinese imports.
Concerns Over Data Security
U.S. officials argue ByteDance’s ownership ties TikTok to the Chinese government, risking American data collection. The company counters that its recommendation algorithms and user data are stored in the U.S. on Oracle servers. Content moderation for American users also occurs domestically.
Potential Buyers and Valuation
Interest has come from figures like former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, an OnlyFans founder-led startup, and Amazon. Analysts value the fast-growing app at up to $50 billion. The deal’s success could reshape U.S.-China tech relations.
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