Trump and Xi make progress on TikTok deal, plan to meet in South Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping made progress on a TikTok agreement and would meet face-to-face in six weeks in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Trump also said he would visit China early next year and that Xi would come to the U.S. at a later date.
“He approved the TikTok deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that there could remain a formal signing of the agreement. “The TikTok deal is well on its way.”
Trump also suggested positive movement on trade, fentanyl and the Russia-Ukraine war during the call, which he said lasted about two hours.
“I believe he would like to see it ended,” Trump said of Xi’s view of the Russia-Ukraine war.
China’s statement made no reference to a formal agreement on TikTok. Trump had signaled multiple times this week that a deal might be forthcoming.
“China’s position on the TikTok issue is clear: The Chinese government respects the wishes of the company in question,” the government said in a statement that called for non-discriminatory treatment of its companies.
“The U.S. will work with China on the economy and trade, and support their teams in reaching a proper deal on TikTok through consultation.”
Early on Saturday, ByteDance issued a statement thanking Trump and Xi “for their concern for TikTok”, adding that it would work towards a way of continuing to serve U.S. users that satisfied Chinese legal requirements.
