On Monday, China’s government avoided answering a direct question about TikTok. This happened after Donald Trump claimed he was close to making a deal with Beijing. Talks could start as early as this week over the app’s future in the US.
Table of Contents
Paragraph 1: What Happened
On Monday, July 7, 2025, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry sidestepped a journalist’s question regarding former US President Donald Trump’s recent comments. Trump had announced that he was “pretty much” close to reaching a deal with China about TikTok. He suggested that formal talks could begin sometime this week.
This statement came during an interview with CNN, where Trump mentioned that both sides have been speaking privately for months. He believes a final decision about TikTok’s US ownership could be made soon.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has faced pressure in the US for several years. The concerns are based on national security risks, with American lawmakers fearing that US citizens’ data might be accessed by the Chinese government.
Several international affairs experts have shared their opinions on the matter. David Stillwell, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told The Wall Street Journal that China’s silence on this issue is expected. According to him, Beijing rarely comments on sensitive business deals involving major American security concerns.
Laura Bate, a cybersecurity policy researcher at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), explained to CNN that China’s lack of response may indicate ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations. She added, “If Trump’s claim is true, it would mean both nations are trying to carefully manage the political risk around this deal.”
Social media users in both the US and Hong Kong have expressed mixed reactions. Many fear that if TikTok is sold to a US company, it might lose its original identity and become heavily monitored.
Paragraph 3: Background and Past Incidents
This is not the first time TikTok has faced threats of being banned in the United States. In 2020, President Trump issued an executive order aiming to ban the app unless it was sold to an American company. At that time, tech companies like Microsoft and Oracle expressed interest in buying TikTok’s US operations.
In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law called the “sale-or-ban” policy. This law requires ByteDance to either sell TikTok’s US assets to a trusted American owner or face a ban on US app stores and servers. While the original deadline was in January 2025, it has been delayed several times, partly due to ongoing discussions.
TikTok has always denied sharing US users’ data with the Chinese government. In recent years, the company has moved some of its data operations to the US and Singapore. However, American officials claim this is still not enough to guarantee user privacy.
Paragraph 4: What Could Happen Next
If Trump’s claims are accurate and a deal is truly near, it could mark a major moment in US-China digital relations. A successful agreement could calm tensions between the two countries in the tech space.
Experts believe that if a US company takes over TikTok’s US operations, the app will have to comply with American privacy laws. This could make US politicians and security agencies more comfortable about the app’s presence in the country.
However, there’s also concern that a sale might affect the app’s features, algorithm, and user experience. Some analysts, like Eleanor Olcott from The Financial Times, argue that splitting the app’s global operations might create long-term technical challenges.
For now, no official date has been confirmed for when talks might start. The Chinese government’s silence hints that negotiations are still delicate. Observers believe that updates could come before the September 17, 2025 deadline.
Conclusion
The future of the TikTok app in the US remains uncertain. While Donald Trump claims a deal is close, China’s government has refused to confirm or deny it. With the deadline approaching and political tensions high, the next few weeks could be crucial for the popular video app’s future in America.
Source References
- CNN: Trump says ‘pretty much’ has a deal with Beijing over TikTok
- The Wall Street Journal
- Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
- The Financial Times
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information from reliable sources including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and official policy documents. No rumors or unverified claims were used. Future updates may change the current situation.
