Politics

Trump Secures TikTok Deal: How His Leadership Protected the App and Balanced US-China Relations

Trump and China reached a deal allowing TikTok to operate in the US, finalized Friday.

September 15, 2025, 11:24 AM

United States President Donald Trump is shown in a close-up, head-and-shoulders portrait, looking away from the camera with a serious expression

United States President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2025. By IAB Studio / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The Trump administration announced a framework agreement with China allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the deal, crediting President Trump’s direct involvement, with President Trump scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday to finalize it.

The agreement aims to respect US national security concerns and ensure a fair investment environment while being fair for China.

The Story So Far

The current framework agreement regarding TikTok stems from a years-long effort initiated during President Donald Trump’s first term, driven by significant US national security concerns over the China-based ownership of the popular social media platform. This long-standing issue escalated with a bipartisan bill, signed by President Joe Biden, which mandated a ban on TikTok in the United States unless its owner divested its US assets, thus creating the impetus for the recent negotiations and the announced agreement.

Why This Matters

The framework agreement allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States resolves a years-long period of uncertainty for the popular social media platform and its users, signaling a potential de-escalation in a key area of US-China tech tension. This deal, which prioritizes both US national security and fair investment, suggests a diplomatic approach to managing complex economic and geopolitical interests between the two global powers.

Who Thinks What?

The Trump administration, represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and President Trump, views the framework agreement as a successful outcome, crediting President Trump’s direct involvement and leadership for securing a deal that addresses U.S. national security concerns while being fair for the Chinese.

The agreement is also seen as a positive resolution that allows TikTok to continue operating in the United States, satisfying young users and ensuring a fair investment environment for Chinese entities.

The Trump administration announced Monday that a framework agreement has been reached with China to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States, concluding a yearslong effort initiated during President Donald Trump’s first term. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the deal in Madrid, where diplomats were engaged in trade talks, adding that President Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday to finalize the arrangement.

Negotiations and Leadership

Secretary Bessent underscored President Trump’s direct involvement in securing the agreement. “President Trump played a role in this, we had a call with him last night, we had specific guidance from him we shared it with our Chinese counterparts,” Bessent stated from Madrid. He further credited Trump’s leadership and leverage as crucial to reaching the deal.

The announcement came as Chinese and US diplomats convened in Spain for discussions on trade and other bilateral matters. Bessent, leading the US delegation, had previously indicated that TikTok’s future was a key item on the agenda for these latest rounds of trade talks.

National Security and Fair Investment

Bessent emphasized the dual objectives of the agreement. “We were very focused on TikTok and making sure that it was a deal that is fair for the Chinese and completely respects US national security concerns, and that’s the deal we reached,” he explained. He also noted the importance of ensuring a fair investment environment for Chinese entities in the U.S., while prioritizing American national security.

The agreement follows a period of repeated extensions by Trump on a self-imposed deadline for China to divest at least part of TikTok’s US operations to an American-backed owner. This pressure stemmed from a bipartisan bill, signed by President Joe Biden, which mandated a ban on TikTok in the United States unless its China-based owner divested its stake in the social media company’s US assets.

President Trump’s Confirmation

President Trump had hinted at the impending agreement earlier on Monday through a post on Truth Social. “The big Trade Meeting in Europe between The United States of America, and China, has gone VERY WELL! It will be concluding shortly,” Trump posted. He added, “A deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday.”

Looking Ahead

The framework agreement marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok’s operations in the United States. The upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday is expected to formalize the terms, bringing a resolution to the long-standing dispute over the popular social media platform.