President Donald Trump says he had a “very productive” call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they touched on trade, fentanyl enforcement, the conflict in Ukraine, and the long‑standing TikTok ownership issue. Trump announced that he will visit China early next year, and that Xi will come to the U.S. “at an appropriate time.” He also said they plan to meet at the upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea.
During the call, Trump expressed gratitude for what he described as a recent “approval” of a TikTok framework deal and emphasized it among the topics where “progress” was made. However, observers cautioned that China’s official statements following the call made no mention of a finalized agreement or specific terms. Chinese authorities reiterated that any outcome must align with market rules, legal compliance, and their own laws.
The call marks one in a series of diplomatic exchanges aimed at resolving the TikTok controversy and easing tensions in U.S.–China relations. Trump’s administration has delayed earlier deadlines for the ByteDance divestiture and has sought changes that ensure U.S. control over algorithms or data, though many details remain murky.
Trump’s renewed engagement with China comes at a time of mounting global instability, with his administration seeking to stabilize relations with major world powers ahead of the 2026 midterms. The inclusion of the TikTok deal in the call signals its growing importance not just as a national security issue but as a broader geopolitical bargaining chip. Trump has long pushed for greater U.S. oversight of TikTok’s operations, citing concerns over data privacy, content manipulation, and its influence over American youth.
Meanwhile, critics have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the administration’s ongoing TikTok negotiations. While Trump praised Xi’s apparent cooperation, tech and policy experts remain skeptical about how enforceable any agreement might be. The public has yet to see concrete language outlining whether ByteDance would divest from the platform or how algorithm control would be managed. Lawmakers in both parties continue to press for clearer guardrails or even a full ban, citing past violations and China’s restrictive digital policies.
