US says 'framework' for TikTok ownership deal agreed with China

September 16, 2025

Washington and China have reached a "framework" agreement regarding TikTok's US operations that could lead to American ownership, as announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent following talks in Madrid. The deal, which addresses US national security concerns about TikTok's Chinese ownership, comes just before a September 17 deadline that would otherwise ban the platform in the United States. Presidents Trump and Xi are expected to complete the agreement on Friday, though China has emphasized it won't make any deal that harms its firms' interests.

Who is affected

TikTok's 170 million US users
ByteDance (TikTok's Chinese parent company)
Potential American buyers including Oracle
US and Chinese trade relations and economies
US national security interests

What action is being taken

US and Chinese officials are negotiating a framework agreement on TikTok's US operations
The current deadline extension for TikTok's sale is active until September 17
Presidents Trump and Xi are planning to "complete" the deal on Friday
US trade representatives are negotiating to end a broader trade war that saw tariffs reach 145%
Oracle is reportedly preparing to enable TikTok operations to continue in the US if a deal is finalized

Why it matters

The US Justice Department considers TikTok's access to American user data "a national-security threat of immense depth and scale"
ByteDance has become one of the largest AI firms in China, raising concerns that data collected from Americans could help train models for China's military and intelligence capabilities
The platform serves 170 million US users whose free speech protections are at stake
The TikTok issue has become a major component in broader US-China trade negotiations
Resolution of this dispute could help ease tensions in the trade war between the world's two largest economies

What's next

President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to "complete" the deal on Friday
The current extension for finding a buyer for TikTok's US operations ends on September 17
The framework agreement is "subject to the leaders' approval" according to US trade representative Jamieson Greer
China's leadership will review any deal before it is agreed upon

Read full article from source: BBC