Washington: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed confidence that a final deal regarding the popular short-video app TikTok could be reached soon, contingent on an upcoming discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The negotiations, aimed at resolving longstanding tensions over the app’s operations in the United States, have drawn global attention due to TikTok’s massive user base and its symbolic significance in U.S.-China technology relations.
Speaking about the recent round of negotiations held in Madrid, Bessent described the talks as “respectful and thorough,” noting that both sides had reached a preliminary framework agreement. The discussions reportedly included China presenting a comprehensive set of demands, while U.S. officials pressed for arrangements that would ensure American oversight and control over TikTok’s operations within the United States. Bessent highlighted that the talks are part of broader efforts to ease tensions stemming from the ongoing trade and technology disputes between the world’s two largest economies.
President Trump has maintained a firm stance that TikTok, which counts over 170 million American users, must meet U.S. ownership conditions or face restrictions in the country. The Trump administration has extended previous deadlines multiple times, with another extension anticipated ahead of the upcoming bilateral discussion. While several commercial terms involving potential new investors remain under negotiation, Bessent signaled cautious optimism that a resolution could soon be formalized.
The potential deal over TikTok represents a rare breakthrough in the complex web of U.S.-China trade and technology negotiations, which have often stalled amid disagreements over national security, market access, and intellectual property. Observers note that the final outcome of the planned conversation between Trump and Xi could set a precedent for future agreements on technology companies operating across borders.
Analysts emphasize that beyond the immediate stakes for TikTok, the resolution of this issue could influence broader U.S.-China relations, affecting investor confidence, technological cooperation, and global market stability. As both countries prepare for the high-level dialogue, attention remains focused on whether the discussions can yield a tangible agreement, ending months of uncertainty for one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.