Donald Trump announced a significant breakthrough regarding the future of TikTok in the United States, revealing that Chinese President Xi Jinping has approved a deal allowing the social media app to continue operating in the U.S. The announcement came after a productive phone call between the two leaders on September 19, 2025, which also included plans to meet face-to-face at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea at the end of October.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the call as “very productive” and expressed appreciation for Xi’s endorsement of the TikTok arrangement. “We made headway on numerous critical issues including trade, Fentanyl, the necessity to conclude the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the endorsement of the TikTok Deal,” Trump stated. He confirmed that both leaders “made progress” on trade discussions and said he would visit China early next year, while Xi Jinping would visit the U.S. at a “suitable time”.

The TikTok deal is a crucial development amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China. The popular video app is owned by China-based ByteDance and has faced repeated threats of a ban in the U.S. over national security concerns. American officials worry that TikTok’s Chinese parent company could provide Beijing with access to American user data or influence content to serve Chinese government interests. A federal law passed in 2024 mandates that TikTok divest from Chinese ownership or face a ban. Trump, who once advocated banning TikTok, has since postponed the enforcement deadline multiple times, signaling a willingness to find a business-oriented solution.

Although details of the deal remain somewhat opaque, reports indicate it may involve a consortium of U.S. investors, including companies like Oracle, taking a controlling stake to ensure TikTok’s operations are under American oversight. The agreement reportedly includes the licensing of TikTok’s algorithm technology from ByteDance, which has been a sticking point in previous negotiations.

China’s official news agency Xinhua described the talks as “positive” and “constructive,” with Xi emphasizing that China respects corporate will and supports companies negotiating on the basis of market rules to achieve a “solution consistent with Chinese laws and regulations and a balance of interests.” However, the agency stopped short of confirming a final agreement and underscored the need for the U.S. to avoid unilateral trade restrictions.

Experts observing the diplomacy hailed the call as a step toward reducing the escalating tensions that have strained U.S.-China relations. Sun Yun, who leads the China program at the Stimson Center, remarked, “Both sides have a strong desire for the leadership summit to take place, while the specifics depend on the trade deal and what can be accomplished during the summit.” Analysts see the TikTok deal as emblematic of broader efforts to stabilize an increasingly fraught bilateral relationship.

The TikTok agreement and the planned South Korea summit will be closely watched as indicators of whether the U.S. and China can find pragmatic compromises on tech, trade, and geopolitical flashpoints. The meeting in South Korea stands to be the first in-person encounter between the two leaders in several months, potentially setting a new tone for cooperation amid global challenges.

In summary, the Trump-Xi call and the TikTok deal endorsement mark a tentative thaw in U.S.-China relations with significant implications for tech regulation and international trade. The next steps include detailed negotiations at the APEC summit in South Korea, a potential Trump visit to China early in 2026, and ongoing dialogues to finalize the TikTok structure under U.S. jurisdiction. Stakeholders from government, business, and security sectors will be awaiting more clarity on the mechanics and safeguards embedded in the deal to ensure both national security and commercial viability.