WASHINGTON (AP) — The ongoing negotiations between the United States and China regarding TikTok have taken a significant turn, with the White House announcing that a deal is nearly finalized. According to a statement released, the arrangement will ensure that American companies maintain control over the algorithm that powers TikTok's popular video feed. Furthermore, U.S. representatives will hold a majority of seats on the board overseeing American operations of the app.
The control of TikTok's algorithm remains a central issue in the debate between Washington and Beijing, especially with the upcoming divestment of the Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Legislation has been passed by Congress regarding a potential TikTok ban effective from January, yet President Donald Trump has repeatedly allowed the app to continue operating as efforts to broker a deal advance.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the tech giant Oracle will oversee TikTok’s data and ensure its security. She detailed that of the seven seats on the board, Americans will hold six. Leavitt expressed certainty, stating, We are 100% confident that a deal is done, now that deal just needs to be signed, emphasizing that the negotiations are ongoing with Chinese counterparts.
Additionally, during a recent phone call, Trump mentioned to reporters that American investors were eager and that Xi Jinping of China has shown great cooperation throughout the discussions. Despite this, Trump remained ambiguous regarding whether China would retain control over the algorithm, indicating that the final arrangements are still being sorted out. We’re going to have very good control, Trump assured.
As the situation develops further, Leavitt remains optimistic about sealing the agreement soon, stating, Now we just need this deal to be signed. And that will be happening, I anticipate, in the coming days. With looming U.S. sanctions against TikTok, the resolution of this negotiation is critical for the app's future in the American market.
