Direct discussions on a TikTok deal are on the horizon, with President Trump stating he will engage China on Monday or Tuesday. The president believes the US has “pretty much” secured an agreement for the short-video app.
The prospect of President Xi Jinping or his representatives joining the talks underscores the significance of the negotiations. This follows Trump’s third extension of the deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets, pushing it to September 17.
Previous efforts to spin off TikTok’s US operations into a US-controlled entity were reportedly halted by China’s reaction to new US tariffs. This history reveals the delicate balance of economic and political leverage in the ongoing discussions.
Despite a “great relationship” with President Xi, Trump acknowledged that China’s approval is not guaranteed, expressing a degree of uncertainty. This dynamic has fueled criticism from Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who argues that the executive orders are an attempt to bypass legal requirements.
Direct Dialogue on TikTok: Trump to Speak with China Next Week
Picture credit: www.heute.at
37
