Hey, remember how US President Donald Trump held that big signing ceremony for the US TikTok deal in the Oval Office last month, saying Americans should be grateful to him for saving the app?
Yeah, that doesn’t seem to have had much significance beyond its symbolic representation, because despite repeated assurances that a US TikTok sell-off is imminent, the Chinese government has yet to approve a proposed deal on the app.
And without the approval of the CCP, no sale can take place.
Earlier in the week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had had positive discussions with Chinese officials and expected the US TikTok deal to be approved post-Trump On Thursday he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Yet at the end of that meeting, we are seemingly no closer to an actual deal, although the two leaders appear to have moved closer to trade agreements on several fronts.
But TikTok in particular was apparently not one of them, even though the US government claims progress has been made on the TikTok issue.
Following the discussions, Bessent told the waiting media That:
“We have finalized the TikTok agreement in terms of obtaining Chinese approval, and I expect that will happen in the coming weeks and months, and we will finally see a resolution to that.”
The Chinese state media have now done that reported That:
“China will properly resolve issues related to TikTok with the US side.”
Slightly less commitment, while China Daily continues reported That:
“Economic and trade negotiations between China and the US demonstrate that the two sides – guided by the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefit – can find solutions to problems through dialogue and cooperation. These achievements did not come easily, but China looks forward to working with the US to ensure their effective implementation, which will create greater security and stability in China-US economic relations and in the global economy.”
Yeah, that doesn’t sound like a convincing statement of support for the proposed TikTok deal, it sounds more like China is waiting to see if the US comes to the table on fulfilling the commitments it has made on other trade elements before China will consider moving forward.
The concerns here are said to relate to America continuing to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, restricting Chinese trade in the US. Conceptually, this will force more companies to use American labor and products, rather than sourcing them from China. That’s better for America in theory, but it will have a significant impact on China, which has been the main focus of these latest discussions.
It appears China is now waiting to see if the US lowers its tariffs before making any response to the TikTok proposal. That could mean it will eventually go ahead, and Chinese officials may have given tacit approval depending on other factors.”
But we don’t know that, and chances are no one does, as China is likely to keep its cards close to its chest in trade negotiations.
Although we do know that CCP officials are outraged by America’s trade policies.
Following the latter US imposed tariffs on Chinese trade earlier this month, Chinese officials There was major criticism of the US trade approachsuggesting that US trade strategies are more about the US protectionism than open exchange.
Chinese officials have suggested that the demonetization of Chinese companies such as TikTok is “just an excuse for the US to impose protectionist tariffs on Chinese goods in light of China’s highly competitive economy.”
That rings quite true, in the sense that Trump’s tariff approach is just that: imposing heavy financial penalties on any company that wants to capitalize on the opportunities of foreign trade. Instead of adhering to free market principles, the Trump administration is forcing US providers to take a more siled approach.
Which, if Trump doesn’t lower these tariffs, could increase the price of any potential TikTok sales scheme.
Reports have even suggested that in order to approve a TikTok deal, Chinese officials will push for a similarly comprehensive arrangement that goes beyond direct trade.. That could possibly cause the CCP to make an appeal Trump supports China’s ownership claim over Taiwanwhich the US has long opposed, in support of Taiwan’s independence.
It’s amazing to think that a short video app that built its audience on dance trends could now play a key role in the sovereignty of an independent nation, but that’s where we find ourselves in the year 2025.
But at this point, it appears the ball is now in Trump’s court on reducing tariffs and complications in China-US trade.
If he does, as he seemingly promised at today’s meeting, the TikTok deal may well go through.
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