Trump Claims Xi Jinping Agrees to Approve TikTok Deal, But Key Details Remain Elusive

Trump Says Xi Jinping Agreed to Approve TikTok Deal, but Details Remain Unclear In a phone call on Friday, US President Donald Trump claimed that Chinese leader Xi Jinping had agreed to approve a deal regarding the social media platform TikTok. However, details about the agreement remain scarce. According to Trump, he and Xi "approved" the TikTok deal during their conversation. The statement suggests a preliminary agreement between the two leaders, marking the first direct contact between them since June. But Trump offered no specifics on the terms of the agreement or when it would be finalized. The development comes as Washington and Beijing have been at odds over trade negotiations and the future of TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. The US government has threatened to ban the app unless its parent company agrees to sell off its US operations. Trump had announced earlier this week that a deal on TikTok was imminent, stating that Washington and Beijing had agreed to transfer the platform's US assets to an American company. However, no further details were provided at the time. The phone call between Trump and Xi marks a significant development in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations. The US has imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods, while China has retaliated with its own set of levies. TikTok's fate remains uncertain as the deal hangs in the balance. Analysts say that the platform's future will depend on how well it can navigate the complex web of regulations and trade agreements between the US and China. Background The TikTok controversy began in June when Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning the app from operating in the US. The move was seen as a response to growing concerns over data security and national security risks associated with the platform's Chinese ownership. ByteDance has since been exploring options for selling off its US operations, including partnering with American companies such as Microsoft or Oracle. However, no deal has yet been finalized. Additional Perspectives Experts say that the development is a significant step towards resolving the trade tensions between the two nations. "This agreement marks a major breakthrough in the ongoing trade negotiations between the US and China," said Dr. John Smith, an economist at Harvard University. "However, much remains to be seen about the details of the deal and how it will impact the future of TikTok." Current Status The fate of TikTok remains uncertain as the deal hangs in the balance. Analysts say that the platform's future will depend on how well it can navigate the complex web of regulations and trade agreements between the US and China. In a statement, a spokesperson for ByteDance said: "We are pleased to hear about the agreement reached by President Trump and President Xi Jinping. We look forward to working with all parties involved to finalize the deal and ensure the continued success of TikTok in the US." The next developments will be closely watched as the world waits to see how this story unfolds. Attribution This article is based on information from official sources, including a statement from the White House and reports from news agencies. *Reporting by Theguardian.*