A “pretty much” complete deal for TikTok has President Trump poised to initiate talks with China on Monday or Tuesday. This signals a potential resolution to the long-standing dispute over the popular short-video app’s US operations.
The president also raised the prospect of reciprocal visits with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, highlighting the high-level engagement expected. Trump’s extension of the divestiture deadline to September 17 marks the third time he has granted ByteDance additional time to find a buyer.
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.
Trump Teases TikTok Resolution: Talks with China Imminent, Deal ‘Almost There’
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Photo By Ivan Radic, via flickr