For years, it felt like TikTok was always one step away from being banned in the United States. The Trump administration had made the app a target, citing security concerns, and the back-and-forth between Washington and Beijing dragged on endlessly. But now, it looks like the fight might finally be over.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters this week that the U.S. and China have reached a “framework” for a deal that would keep TikTok running in America. The agreement would essentially shift TikTok into U.S.-controlled ownership, easing the national security worries that fueled talk of a ban. While the full commercial details are being kept private, Bessent confirmed that both sides have agreed to the terms. “We’re not going to talk about the commercial terms of the deal. It’s between two private parties, but the commercial terms have been agreed upon,” he said.
The deal still needs final approval, but Bessent said President Trump and China’s Party Chair Xi are scheduled to speak on Friday to seal it. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also sounded optimistic, saying, “We believe we have an agreement. It’s just subject to the leaders’ approval.” He added that there won’t be endless delays this time — either the deal gets signed, or it doesn’t.
This marks a huge shift from Trump’s original stance. During his first term, he pushed hard to ban TikTok altogether. Last year, Congress even passed a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the app to an approved U.S. owner or face a nationwide ban. But since Trump began his second term in January, he’s softened. He’s delayed the ban deadline four different times, giving ByteDance more chances to negotiate.
Even just a few days ago, Trump sounded unsure. He told reporters, “We may let it die, or we may, I don’t know — it depends, up to China.” But he also admitted that young people love the app and that he wanted to “do it for the kids.” He even acknowledged that TikTok helped him connect with younger voters, boasting, “I did very well on TikTok.” The creation of an official White House TikTok account in August made it pretty clear a deal was coming.
This morning, Trump all but confirmed the news himself on Truth Social. He wrote that trade talks with China had gone “VERY WELL!” and added that they reached a deal on a company that “young people in our Country very much wanted to save.” He ended with, “They will be very happy!”
After years of drama, bans, extensions, and political sparring, it seems TikTok is here to stay in the U.S., this time, under American oversight.
