Trump says TikTok deal with China could soon be finalized

US President Donald Trump on Friday praised what he described as a breakthrough in negotiations with China over the future of TikTok.

Speaking after a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their second since Trump returned to the White House, Trump said Xi had “approved” the deal and that finalizing it “could be a formality.” He added, “We have to get it signed... I guess it could be a formality.”

China, however, offered a more restrained version of events. In a statement, Beijing emphasized that business arrangements should follow “market rules” and comply with Chinese law, adding, “China hopes the US side will provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in the United States.” It described the leaders’ discussion as “frank and in-depth.”

Trump has long pushed to separate TikTok’s US operations from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, citing national security risks. The app has become a central part of American digital culture, particularly among younger users, and Trump himself acknowledged he was “a little prejudiced” toward it because “I frankly did so well on it.”

The president also said Xi agreed to cooperate with Washington on ending the war in Ukraine, even though Western officials continue to accuse Beijing of indirectly supporting Russia. Trump wrote earlier on Truth Social that the two leaders had “made progress on many very important issues including TikTok.”

Plans are already in place for further meetings. Trump said he would see Xi at next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea and would make a trip to China next year. He also confirmed that Xi would eventually visit the United States and that the two leaders would hold another call.

ByteDance, responding early Saturday, expressed gratitude to both leaders. “ByteDance will move forward with the relevant work in accordance with Chinese law, ensuring that TikTok US continues to serve its vast American user base,” the company said.

Investors rumored to be in line for TikTok’s US business include Oracle, led by billionaire Larry Ellison, a vocal Trump supporter. Such a deal could give Trump sway over another major media platform.

Despite Trump’s optimism, trade experts caution that the negotiations remain complex. Wendy Cutler, a former US trade negotiator, noted that control of TikTok’s algorithm is still unsettled.

“Beijing is displaying a willingness to play hardball, and a need to get paid by Washington for any concessions it makes,” she said.

The TikTok dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of a turbulent trade relationship. Earlier this year, Washington and Beijing slapped steep tariffs on each other’s exports before reaching a temporary compromise. That deal, which set US duties at 30 percent and China’s at 10 percent, expires in November.

Although Trump once branded China a bitter enemy on the campaign trail, he has since emphasized his personal rapport with Xi. Their latest call ended with Xi acknowledging “appreciation to Trump for the US role in World War II,” according to the Chinese account.