US and China Reach Deal to Avert TikTok Ban
The United States and China have reached a framework agreement that will allow the social media app TikTok to continue its operations in the U.S., averting a threatened nationwide ban. The deal was announced by President Donald Trump following two days of high-level trade discussions in Madrid. While the commercial terms were not disclosed, the agreement marks a significant de-escalation in the tech and trade conflict between the two countries, resolving a contentious issue ahead of a looming divestment deadline.
Unpacked:
TikTok faced a ban due to concerns that its Chinese ownership posed risks to U.S. national security, specifically regarding user data potentially being accessed by the Chinese government and possible foreign influence operations.
Key issues included user data privacy, fears of Chinese government access to personal information, allegations of disinformation campaigns, and the demand that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, divest ownership of the app to a U.S.-based entity.
The U.S. issued executive orders to ban TikTok, pursued legal action to force divestment, and passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban.
Surveys show many Americans remain worried about TikTok’s privacy practices—about 40% of non-users and 30% of users report significant concerns about how TikTok handles their personal data and security.