A call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has revived hopes for a deal that would see ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. assets, though key details remain unsettled.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated Xi’s “approval of the TikTok deal,” though China’s readout stopped short of endorsing a sale. Beijing instead emphasized respect for market-based negotiations that comply with Chinese law. Analysts said the difference in tone suggests both leaders want to project progress while keeping leverage in ongoing talks.
The tentative breakthrough comes after months of deadlock. Congress mandated ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 2025 or face a nationwide ban, but Trump has repeatedly extended deadlines, citing TikTok’s popularity with American voters and its political value. The latest extension runs until December 19.
Still, major hurdles remain: the ownership structure, the degree of Chinese control over TikTok’s algorithm, and whether Congress will sign off. Reuters has reported that any U.S. version of TikTok under new ownership would likely continue using ByteDance’s algorithm, a sticking point for lawmakers worried about data security and influence operations.
China blocked a similar deal earlier this year amid trade tensions, and experts say it may do so again if U.S. demands cross Beijing’s red lines. “The contours of the conversation better align with China’s interests than U.S. interests,” said Scott Kennedy of CSIS, noting structural reforms were not on the table.
Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute called the talks “positive and constructive” but stressed that the algorithm question remains unresolved.
For now, the deal remains fragile: Beijing wants to protect its tech assets, Washington wants to claim victory on national security, and Trump is balancing political calculations against congressional pressure. Months of negotiations still lie ahead.