China Hails US-TikTok Deal as ‘Win-Win,’ Pledges Review of Technology and IP Transfers
Beijing, September 17, 2025 — China has welcomed the recently reached framework agreement to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership, describing the deal as a "win-win" outcome. In a state media editorial, Chinese officials affirmed their commitment to reviewing related technology exports and intellectual property (IP) licensing associated with the popular short-video app.
The consensus came following high-level talks in Madrid focused on trade, economic, and national security issues between the world’s two largest economies. The news was conveyed through a commentary published by the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, under the byline "Zhong Sheng" or "Voice of China," which traditionally reflects Beijing’s stance on foreign policy matters.
China underscored that the agreement was reached based on principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and cooperative win-win solutions. “China reached the relevant consensus with the United States on the TikTok issue because it is based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” the paper stated.
The deal involves transferring ownership of TikTok’s U.S. assets from its Chinese parent company ByteDance to U.S. entities, addressing longstanding concerns about data security and control over the app, which boasts around 170 million users in the United States. The arrangement resembles a similar compromise proposed earlier this year but shelved amid escalating trade tensions and tariff impositions.
Additionally, China said it would enact legal reviews of technology exports and intellectual property licensing related to TikTok, signaling an ongoing regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with national laws.
The progress on TikTok comes at a critical moment as Washington and Beijing seek to extend their current tariff truce and prepare for renewed dialogue to ease broader Sino-American trade tensions. The deal’s finalization is anticipated to be confirmed in an upcoming call scheduled for Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with investors on both sides closely watching for further developments.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently engaged in discussions with Chinese negotiators in Madrid, indicated that a September 17 deadline—originally threatening to disrupt TikTok’s U.S. operations—might be extended by 90 days to facilitate completion of the deal, though he declined to provide additional specifics.
The unfolding resolution of TikTok’s ownership represents a notable step forward in U.S.-China negotiations, potentially paving the way for more collaborative efforts amid ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Background
TikTok, a short-form video platform developed by ByteDance, has been at the heart of U.S.-China friction due to concerns over user data privacy and potential influence from the Chinese government. Earlier this year, the U.S. administration imposed strict deadlines for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban. The recent Madrid talks aimed to resolve these disputes within the broader context of trade and national security discussions.
Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Muralikumar Anantharaman
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