• Source:JND
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President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States and China have reached a tentative deal allowing TikTok to continue operating in America, with final details expected later this week. “We have a deal on TikTok, I’ve reached a deal with China. I’m going to speak to President Xi on Friday to confirm everything up,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House for a state visit to Britain.

The announcement comes after months of negotiations between Washington and Beijing over the fate of the short-video app, which boasts more than 170 million users in the US. Trump, earlier,  emphasised that TikTok would not be allowed to remain online without a transfer of ownership to US-controlled entities.

He has already extended the deadline for such a deal three times, with a fourth extension expected on Wednesday. While Trump did not reveal the identity of the prospective buyers, he suggested the details would be announced soon.

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Treasury Confirms Final Talks Ahead

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Tuesday that he anticipates a final agreement to be reached following Trump’s upcoming call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “China had a long list of asks during talks this week in Madrid,” Bessent said, describing the discussions as “fulsome” and conducted with mutual respect. According to him, the call between Trump and Xi could finalise the long-awaited arrangement.

The potential deal is not limited to TikTok’s future. It also comes amid broader US-China trade negotiations aimed at defusing a tense economic standoff that has rattled global markets. On Monday, the two countries announced they had reached a framework agreement addressing several contentious trade issues, signaling a possible de-escalation in their ongoing rivalry.

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Congress Raises Security Concerns

Still, TikTok’s future in the US remains subject to political scrutiny. In 2024, under the Joe Biden administration, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok’s divestiture due to concerns that American user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. Lawmakers have repeatedly warned that Beijing might exploit the app for surveillance or influence campaigns, a charge TikTok has consistently denied. Any deal to transfer ownership will likely be closely examined by Congress to ensure compliance with the divestiture law.