Trump claims deal reached to save TikTok from US ban

In the United States, President Donald Trump announced on September 15, 2025, that a deal has been reached with China regarding TikTok, which could allow the app to remain operational in the country. This moment followed years of negotiations that began during Trump’s first term aimed at addressing national security concerns over the app's Chinese ownership by ByteDance. Trump claimed that the trade discussions between U.S. and Chinese diplomats, held in Madrid, have been productive and emphasized that young American users of TikTok would be pleased with the deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also confirmed that a framework for a TikTok agreement has been established, although further details remain unclear, particularly with regard to ownership and operational control of the app. The looming threat of a ban on TikTok had caused significant concern among American users, prompting discussions about the implications of the app’s potential removal from U.S. app stores. A bipartisan bill passed by Congress mandates that TikTok must divest its U.S. assets or face a ban, citing security risks associated with the app being owned by a Chinese company. The deadline for TikTok to comply had been extended multiple times, with the latest date being September 17, 2025. With the negotiations still ongoing, the administration expressed a willingness to further postpone the ban to finalize the deal, although officials indicated that they would not continue offering extensions indefinitely. Trump's administration has taken a strong stance on ensuring that any agreement reached would prioritize national security while also respecting the interests of Chinese stakeholders. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reaffirmed the administration's intent to negotiate a fair deal, emphasizing the dual goals of protecting U.S. interests while accommodating China's position. The unknown aspects of the deal extend to who would ultimately acquire TikTok's U.S. operations, as several potential buyers have been mentioned in public discussions, including American tech companies. In the context of this evolving situation, it is essential to recognize that the outcome of Trump's dealings with China regarding TikTok could set a significant precedent for how the U.S. engages with foreign technology ownership issues in the future. As negotiations continue, further clarity on the arrangement is anticipated after Trump’s scheduled discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who he will speak with later this week.