Trump-Xi Talks Ease Tensions as TikTok Deal Remains Elusive

Following a recent conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping seem to have eased tensions, although a concrete agreement on the future of TikTok remains elusive. This marked their first dialogue in three months, aiming to outline discussions on trade, illicit drugs, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders have agreed to continue talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, set to commence on October 31 in Gyeongju, South Korea. Trump has also planned visits to China next year, with Xi potentially reciprocating by coming to the United States, according to reports.

While the conversation hinted at progress concerning trade, fentanyl, and the Russia-Ukraine war, a definitive agreement involving TikTok, a popular short-video app at the center of U.S.-China technological tensions, was not reached. A framework deal made earlier this week requires Beijing’s approval to progress TikTok’s operations in the U.S., a critical step given Congress’s mandate for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent, to sell its U.S. assets or face a shutdown by January 2025. Despite Trump’s optimistic signals about a potential deal this week, no formal agreement was reported from China’s side.

Historically, President Trump has extended deadlines on TikTok’s divestment to encourage negotiations, reflecting broader trade and national security narratives between the U.S. and China. Key sticking points remain the transfer of TikTok’s algorithm and data management to U.S. entities, requiring Chinese approval—a nuance that has halted negotiations previously.

Despite the uncertainty, these talks offer a promising path for U.S.-China relations, underscoring the complexity of international technological and trade negotiations. A successful framework might establish a precedent for how multinational tech companies navigate geopolitical disputes, balancing security concerns with economic dialogue. A hopeful resolution would assure continued TikTok access in the U.S., benefiting users and business interests alike, while illustrating enhanced diplomatic cooperation.