Trump and Xi Discuss TikTok Deal: American Control Over Algorithm
washington, maandag, 22 september 2025.
According to US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping has approved the sale of the American components of TikTok to American investors. The deal would ensure that TikTok’s algorithm comes under American control, which is a crucial point in the negotiations. Although the deal is not yet final, it is expected that the transfer will be completed soon. The negotiations come after months of political tension between the United States and China over the security risks of the popular social media platform.
Trump and Xi Discuss TikTok Deal: American Control Over Algorithm
According to US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping has approved the sale of the American components of TikTok to American investors. The deal would ensure that TikTok’s algorithm comes under American control, which is a crucial point in the negotiations. Although the deal is not yet final, it is expected that the transfer will be completed soon. The negotiations come after months of political tension between the United States and China over the security risks of the popular social media platform [1][2].
Details of the Deal
The deal would ensure that the American branch of TikTok largely falls into the hands of American investors, including Oracle and investment firm Silver Lake. This would mean that more than 80 percent of the company would be in American hands. According to the plans, the Chinese parent company ByteDance would retain a minority stake. An important aspect of the deal is that all data from American users will be stored in the US by software company Oracle, which is intended to reduce security concerns [1][3][4].
Reactions from Both Sides
Although Trump has confirmed Xi Jinping’s approval, China has not spoken of a formal agreement. The Ministry of Commerce stated that it hopes the US provides an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, including TikTok, so they can continue their activities in the US. During the conversation, Xi Jinping expressed the wish that the US avoids unilateral trade restrictions and provides a fair environment for Chinese investors [2][3].
International Context
The negotiations over TikTok form only part of the broader political and economic tensions between the United States and China. Trump and Xi Jinping have agreed to meet during the APEC summit in South Korea in October 2025. Trump has also announced that he will visit China at the beginning of 2026. These meetings are seen as opportunities to improve relations between the two superpowers and discuss other complex issues, such as trade barriers and technological cooperation [2][5].
Criticism and Concerns
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, there are also critical voices. Some American senators, including Josh Hawley, have expressed concerns about the security risks and the structure of the deal. Hawley argues that TikTok not only poses a national security risk but also a personal security risk. The law signed by Joe Biden requires ByteDance to relinquish at least 80 percent of its shares in TikTok and prohibits collaboration on content algorithms and data sharing. Trump’s decision to ignore the TikTok ban, which has been in effect all year, has also raised questions about the separation of powers [6].