A deal has been reached between U.S. and Chinese negotiators regarding TikTok’s future in the United States. The video platform’s ownership will be transferred to a consortium of American investors, reports say, in an effort to avoid a nationwide ban. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who led the American delegation in talks with China held in Spain, announced that commercial terms have been agreed upon by both parties. The agreement follows months of negotiations between the two countries.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, has been under a de‑facto nationwide U.S. ban since January 19, 2025, due to concerns over user‑data security. The U.S. government has warned that the Chinese government could access TikTok data, potentially spying on Americans or conducting influence operations through the app. The ban was originally slated to take effect in 2024 but was postponed several times by President Donald Trump to allow for negotiations with China. The latest deadline was set to expire on September 17, 2025.
According to Bessent, the deal is expected to be confirmed by Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping after a call on Friday, and TikTok will have 90 days to finalize the agreement. Details remain scarce, but a Wall Street Journal report citing a White House official indicates that a consortium of investors will take an ownership stake in TikTok. U.S. private‑equity firm Blackstone, previously reported as a contender, is no longer part of the arrangement. Other companies such as Oracle and Microsoft were also mentioned as possible participants, but neither has confirmed involvement.
The transfer of ownership is seen as a way to address U.S. concerns over data security and ensure TikTok’s continued operation in the country. The platform has been hosted on Oracle’s servers in the United States since 2022, and Oracle has been working to secure user data. The deal is significant because it will allow TikTok to remain operational in the U.S. and avoid a ban that could have had major implications for the company and its users.
This agreement marks a major development in the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok’s future in the United States. With the deal expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, users can breathe a sigh of relief, and the company can continue to operate in one of its largest markets. The outcome will also be closely watched by other firms operating in the U.S., as it sets a precedent for how data‑security concerns may be addressed in the future.
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