Trump to discuss TikTok deal with China next week

US President Donald Trump announced plans to start discussions with China on a potential deal regarding TikTok.

The talks are expected to take place on July 7, or July 8, with Chinese President Xi Jinping or his representatives.

Trump noted that the US has “pretty much” reached a deal.

The deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its US assets was extended by Trump last month to September 17.

A proposed plan to create a US-based entity, majority-owned by American investors, faced delays due to China’s opposition amid rising trade tensions.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ TikTok has become a geopolitical pawn in larger trade negotiations

China appears to be deliberately delaying TikTok’s sale until it can secure favorable trade terms with the United States, illustrating how digital platforms have become central to international diplomacy1.

Despite President Trump’s announcement of a potential deal, the actual transaction remains contingent on negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting China’s strategic approach to the app’s fate1.

This reflects a broader Chinese government strategy, as officials perceive the TikTok ban attempts as part of a larger U.S. effort to curb China’s technological advancement rather than addressing genuine security concerns2.

The app’s status as a negotiation piece demonstrates how digital platforms have become entwined with national interests, with nearly 40% of Americans supporting restrictions despite TikTok’s popularity among younger users3.

Trump’s shifting stance on TikTok—from supporting an outright ban to facilitating a deal—illustrates how digital policy has become inseparable from electoral politics and international relations1.

2️⃣ TikTok’s explosive growth made it too significant to simply ban

With over 1 billion monthly active users globally and projections to reach 2 billion by late 2025, TikTok has become too economically and culturally significant to simply eliminate from the market4.

The platform’s remarkable trajectory is evidenced by its revenue growth, generating $14.15 billion in 2023, up from $9.89 billion in 2022, making it a major player in the digital advertising ecosystem5.