Trump and Xi Jinping discuss matters over a phone call, focusing principally on trade issues and the future of TikTok
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Li Chenggang have reportedly reached a basic framework consensus on resolving the TikTok issue. The consensus was reached during a new round of talks held in Madrid, Spain, and is aimed at reducing investment barriers and promoting economic and trade ties between the US and China.
The talks follow previous discussions in Switzerland, Britain, and Sweden. The consensus comes after a US federal law, scheduled to take effect in January this year, required TikTok to find a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the US.
According to Trump's post on Truth Social, the deal will involve separating the TikTok app from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to avoid a ban in the United States. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a "framework" for this deal at a press conference in Madrid on September 14.
The TikTok deal approval was also mentioned in Trump's post, and a telephonic conversation between Trump and Xi Jinping on September 19 confirmed this development. The conversation, reported by Xinhua News, also focused on various issues including trade, Fentanyl, the Ukraine war, and other matters.
It is worth noting that last year, former US President Joe Biden enacted a law mandating that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, sell off the app or face a ban due to national security concerns.
In a separate development, Trump has stated that he and Xi Jinping have agreed to meet at the APEC Summit in South Korea, scheduled for October 31 to November 1, 2025, and that Trump plans to visit China early next year. However, the exact timing of Xi's visit to the United States remains uncertain.
China claims Taiwan as a part of its territory and has vowed to unify with Taiwan, using force if necessary. Recently, there have been reports suggesting that the Trump administration is seeking to soften relations with Beijing.
Regarding the aid package for Taiwan, a White House representative has stated that the decision has not been finalized and may be reviewed. Prior to the call, US media reported that President Trump refused to grant approval for USD 400 million of military aid to Taiwan.
As the situation evolves, it is anticipated that more details about the TikTok deal and the future of US-China relations will be revealed. Stay tuned for updates.
