On September 15, 2025, the United States and China announced a significant breakthrough in the ongoing dispute over the popular social media platform TikTok. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that both nations had reached a “framework” agreement allowing TikTok’s ownership of its American operations to transition to U.S. control, averting a looming ban. This framework deal was established during high-stakes trade negotiations held in Madrid and is set to be finalized during a scheduled call on Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The agreement addresses a critical September 17 deadline, imposed by U.S. law, which mandated TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to find an American buyer or face an outright ban in the U.S. market. TikTok, a platform with approximately 170 million U.S. users, has been at the center of tensions between the two economic giants due to concerns over data security and national security risks associated with Chinese ownership.
This breakthrough was reached after intense negotiations aimed at resolving broader trade conflicts between the U.S. and China. Secretary Bessent indicated that the threat of TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. encouraged Beijing to yield on some earlier demands, such as requests for reduced tariffs linked to the deal, in favor of constructive progress on the social media platform’s future.
China’s chief trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, emphasized that the framework was a result of “candid and in-depth exchanges” and that it represented a “basic framework consensus on properly resolving relevant issues concerning TikTok through cooperation.” However, he cautioned that any agreement would be thoroughly reviewed by Chinese leadership to ensure it did not undermine Chinese companies’ interests or principles.
According to Wang Jingtao, deputy director of China’s Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the framework resolves TikTok’s U.S. operations issue through means like “entrusted operation of TikTok’s U.S. user data and content security business,” as well as licensed use of algorithms and intellectual property rights. This suggests a deal that balances U.S. oversight and Chinese technological involvement, aiming to protect national security while preserving aspects of TikTok’s identity tied to China.
President Trump, who has postponed the enforcement of the TikTok ban multiple times, expressed optimism about the deal during the announcement, emphasizing the positive trajectory of the talks and the ongoing strong relationship with China. He is expected to confirm the framework’s final details during his upcoming conversation with President Xi.
The outcome represents a crucial step in defusing a high-profile U.S.-China trade dispute. It signals a tentative willingness by both sides to cooperate on contentious technology and trade issues while safeguarding their domestic interests. TikTok’s potential sale to U.S. owners under this agreement aims to address national security concerns that have underpinned the U.S. legislative push to ban the app.
Looking ahead, the framework agreement must now move through final approvals and operational details. The coming days will be critical as the Trump and Xi administrations review and endorse the terms. For TikTok users and stakeholders, the deal offers a prospect of uninterrupted service and a new business structure that meets regulatory scrutiny. Yet, experts caution that the arrangement’s technical and geopolitical complexities may pose challenges in implementation and monitoring going forward.
In summary, the newly reached framework sets the stage for TikTok’s American operations to shift toward U.S. control in a manner intended to protect national security and respect both countries’ economic interests. The negotiation signals a temporary easing of one of the most contentious flashpoints in U.S.-China relations, with the final confirmation expected soon between the two Presidents.
