US-China Nearing TikTok Deal: What Does Trump Want?

The US and China appear to be heading towards a final agreement on the future of TikTok in the US, following months of negotiations. Reportedly, China's ByteDance will cede control of the app to a new American company, involving investment schemes such as Silver Lake and Oracle.

The Trump administration is pushing for a clause requiring the payment of billions of dollars from investors to the US government as a reward for government mediation. Trump stated that "we will get something," insisting that the size of the deal justifies compensation to the US.

From the US side, the agreement is seen as a victory for those warning about China's access to the data of American users. Beijing seeks to present the agreement as a win for Xi Jinping, gaining leverage in other negotiations with Washington.

The path to agreement remains complex, but the direct involvement of leaders suggests that the two countries are closer than ever to a final settlement.