TikTok’s next steps are clear, as President Trump announced that discussions with China about a “pretty much” completed deal will begin on Monday or Tuesday. This indicates that a resolution for the app’s US operations is highly probable.
The prospect of direct engagement with President Xi Jinping or his representatives underscores the gravity of the negotiations. The current September 17 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets is a result of Trump’s third executive order.
Previous efforts to establish a US-owned TikTok entity were reportedly hindered by China’s disapproval, which followed Trump’s imposition of new tariffs. This demonstrates the intricate connection between trade policy and tech regulation.
Despite his favorable relationship with President Xi, Trump acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Beijing’s ultimate approval. This approach has been met with criticism from Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who claims that Trump’s executive orders are a means of sidestepping legal mandates.