"Xi Gives Green Light to TikTok Deal, Trump Announces Ahead of SKorea Meeting"

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping have approved a deal on the future of TikTok's US operations during a phone call, according to multiple reports. The deal, which would see TikTok's US business sold to a group of US investors, was reportedly discussed between Trump and Xi as part of their preparations for an upcoming meeting in South Korea. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the call as "productive" and expressed his appreciation for Xi's approval of the deal. However, China's official state news agency Xinjua left the outcome of their discussion less clear, with Xi quoted as saying that Beijing "welcomes negotiations over TikTok". This discrepancy has raised questions about the exact nature of the agreement reached between Trump and Xi. TikTok, which is run by Chinese firm Bytedance, was previously told it had to sell its US operations or risk being banned in the country. The company's US business has been under scrutiny due to concerns over data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. According to Reuters, Trump's announcement on Friday came after a series of negotiations between the US and China over TikTok's future. The deal is seen as a significant development in the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. Experts say that the approval of the deal by both Trump and Xi marks a major breakthrough in the talks. "This is a positive step forward for both sides," said Dr. Emily Chen, a trade expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "The fact that they have been able to come to an agreement on TikTok's future suggests that there may be more room for cooperation between the US and China." However, not everyone is convinced that the deal will address the underlying concerns over data security and national security. "This deal may just be a temporary fix," said Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), who has been critical of TikTok's ties to the Chinese government. "We need to ensure that any agreement reached between the US and China protects American interests and ensures the security of our citizens." The meeting between Trump and Xi is set to take place in South Korea, where they will discuss a range of issues including trade, security, and climate change. The exact date of the meeting has not been confirmed. In the meantime, TikTok's US business remains under scrutiny, with many experts calling for greater transparency and oversight over the company's operations. As one expert noted, "This deal may be just the beginning of a longer process to address the concerns over TikTok's future in the US." Sources: Reuters Xinjua (China's official state news agency) Truth Social (Donald Trump's social media platform) This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC Technology.