A “pretty much” secured deal for TikTok has President Trump poised to begin discussions with China on Monday or Tuesday. The president’s statement suggests significant progress in the ongoing efforts to address concerns over the popular app’s ownership.
The potential for high-level meetings, possibly involving President Xi Jinping, underscores the diplomatic importance of the TikTok issue. This comes after Trump’s decision to extend the divestiture deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to September 17, providing more time for a resolution.
Previous attempts to finalize a sale, which involved spinning off TikTok’s US operations, were reportedly stalled by China’s disapproval in response to new US tariffs. This history reveals the delicate balance of power and interests at play.
Trump, while hopeful for a positive outcome given his relationship with Xi, acknowledged the unpredictability of Beijing’s final approval. This ongoing situation has drawn criticism from Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who argues that Trump’s repeated executive orders are bypassing the intent of existing laws.
Trump Signals TikTok Breakthrough: Talks with China Begin This Week
Picture credit: www.heute.at
42