Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he will hold direct talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, marking a new phase in negotiations between Washington and Beijing.
The announcement followed a fresh round of discussions between US and Chinese officials in Spain, where both sides worked to resolve key economic and security disputes.
Trump, who posted updates on social media, suggested that progress had been made not only on trade but also on the future of ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok in the US.
His remarks came ahead of a looming deadline for the app to restructure its American operations under national security law.
US-China trade talks in Spain
Talks between US and Chinese negotiators took place in Spain last week, focusing on both trade differences and the operations of Chinese technology firms within the US market.
While specific details of the agreements were not disclosed, Trump described the discussions as having “gone VERY WELL!” and indicated that negotiations were concluding soon.
The talks were closely watched, given ongoing disputes over tariffs, market access, and technology transfers, which have weighed heavily on global markets in recent years.
Trump’s update pointed to a potential breakthrough on commercial issues that have strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Any outcomes from these discussions could directly impact bilateral trade flows, cross-border investment, and the broader geopolitical relationship between Washington and Beijing.
TikTok deal before deadline
In his posts, Trump hinted at a resolution concerning a “certain company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save.”
This remark was widely interpreted as a reference to TikTok, the popular video app owned by China’s ByteDance.
The app faces a deadline this week to secure a deal that would divest its US operations, in compliance with national security requirements.
The Trump administration has repeatedly raised concerns over TikTok’s data handling practices and its links to China.
In response, ByteDance has been under pressure to find American partners or restructure its operations in the US.
Trump has extended the compliance deadline more than once, underscoring the significance of TikTok’s presence in the American digital landscape and its political implications.
He has also attributed part of his appeal among younger voters in the last election to the app’s cultural reach.
Political and economic stakes
The timing of Trump’s announcement carries both political and economic significance.
The talks with Xi are set against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Chinese technology companies operating in the US, alongside ongoing disputes over tariffs and trade policy.
For Beijing, protecting the global operations of its leading tech firms remains a priority, while for Washington, the issue has become a matter of national security and domestic political interest.
Trump’s framing of TikTok as a platform “young people very much wanted to save” highlights how the app has become part of the broader debate over data security, trade negotiations, and electoral politics.
A decision on its future is expected shortly after his planned call with Xi, marking a critical juncture for both the app’s operations and the wider trajectory of US-China relations.
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