Story perspectives

Trump Advances TikTok Sale Amid Regulatory Hurdles

9/26/2025

Summary

Story summary

President Trump signed an executive order on September 25, 2025 to advance TikTok's U.S. sale.
The deal remains incomplete as regulatory approvals from the United States and China are still needed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly approved the deal during a recent phone call, with a planned in-person APEC Summit meeting next month, and completion could extend into 2026.

History

Historical Context

In 2020, the U.S. government began scrutinizing TikTok due to national security concerns, particularly regarding data privacy and foreign influence. This led to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviewing the app, escalating tensions with China. By 2024, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act mandated ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations, reflecting ongoing geopolitical struggles.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Trump signed an executive order on September 25, 2025 to advance TikTok's U.S. sale.
The deal remains incomplete as regulatory approvals from the United States and China are still needed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly approved the deal during a recent phone call, with a planned in-person APEC Summit meeting next month, and completion could extend into 2026.

1 / 2