Trump Says Talks with China on TikTok Deal to Begin Early This Week

Further developments are expected in the coming days as both sides prepare for high-level discussions.

By DTD- On Jul 5, 2025

WASHINGTON: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is set to begin discussions with China as early as Monday or Tuesday over a potential deal involving the popular short-video platform TikTok.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the U.S. “pretty much” has a deal in place for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, and suggested that talks with Chinese officials — potentially including President Xi Jinping — would soon commence.

“I think we’re gonna start Monday or Tuesday talking to China, perhaps President Xi Jinping or one of his representatives, but we would pretty much have a deal,” Trump said.

The announcement comes after Trump last month extended a deadline to September 17 for ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to divest its U.S. assets. A deal to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new American-owned entity had reportedly been in development earlier this year, but negotiations were put on hold after China signaled opposition, especially following Trump’s announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump acknowledged that Chinese approval would likely be necessary for the deal to move forward.

“I’m not confident, but I think so,” he said when asked if Beijing would agree to the arrangement. “President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it’s good for them. I think the deal is good for China and it’s good for us.”

Just last week, Trump told Fox News that a buyer had been found for TikTok’s U.S. operations, though he did not disclose specific details.

The TikTok saga has been a flashpoint in ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over technology, trade, and data security. The proposed deal is expected to involve a U.S.-based firm taking majority ownership and operational control of the app’s American presence.

Further developments are expected in the coming days as both sides prepare for high-level discussions.