Trump and Xi Set to Finalize TikTok Deal After U.S. and China Establish “Framework”

The United States and China have agreed on a preliminary framework to resolve long standing concerns over the Chinese owned social media platform TikTok, officials confirmed Wednesday. The deal sets the stage for a high-level meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Friday, where final terms are expected to be confirmed.
The development marks a potential turning point in years of tech-related tension between the world’s two largest economies.
President Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House, said, “We’ve made great progress with China, and I will be meeting President Xi on Friday to finalize what I believe is a fair deal one that protects American users and our national interests.”
Details of the Framework Still Emerging
While the full scope of the agreement remains under wraps, sources familiar with the negotiations say it involves data security guarantees, operational transparency, and partial U.S. oversight of TikTok’s algorithms and content moderation policies. A U.S. based data partner may also be appointed as part of the deal to handle American user information a key sticking point in prior disputes.
A Strategic Shift
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based tech company ByteDance, has been under intense scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers and regulators for years over data privacy and national security concerns. Trump, who previously attempted to ban the app via executive order during his first term, has reintroduced the issue as a central part of his second term digital policy platform.
President Xi, meanwhile, has framed the negotiations as part of a broader effort to stabilize U.S.–China trade and tech relations. Chinese state media has cautiously welcomed the “framework agreement,” calling it a sign of “mutual respect and pragmatic diplomacy.”
What’s Next
The Friday meeting between the two presidents is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Singapore. If successful, the finalized agreement could open the door to a new regulatory model for foreign-owned tech platforms operating in the U.S.
Analysts warn, however, that opposition from lawmakers in both countries particularly over sovereignty and digital surveillance could still complicate implementation.