US and China Have Established a TikTok Framework Agreement as Trade Talks Progress Toward Possible American Ownership

TikTok and Beijing reach a framework agreement, tying US ownership to wider trade negotiations in the face of national security concerns.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Monday that Washington and Beijing had reached an agreement on a “framework” for TikTok’s US activities following negotiations in Madrid. He said that the accord would be “completed” on Friday between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, incorporating the disagreement into larger trade talks.

Trump wrote that the discussions had “gone very well” on Truth Social. Although it accepted a framework, China maintained that no agreement would compromise the interests of its companies. ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has until Wednesday to sell off its US operations or risk a nationwide ban.

If the acquisition goes through, Oracle is reportedly one of the possible partners that would enable TikTok to stay in the US. TikTok’s ownership has grown to be a significant negotiating tool in US-China trade negotiations, as tariffs have previously increased to as high as 145%. Although officials emphasized that the accord needs final approval from both leaders, they said the framework would protect US national security.

There are still questions over the complete security of TikTok’s algorithm and user data from Americans under any new ownership. Analysts caution that even with a change in leadership, unaddressed problems might leave US vulnerabilities unabated.