Story perspectives

U.S.-China Trade Talks Advance, TikTok Divestment Planned

10/27/2025

Center

Bessent Advances Trade

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says progress on trade and TikTok will follow President Donald Trump's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, and the 100% tariff on China is off the table.
A substantial framework for trade negotiations has been established.
ByteDance will divest TikTok's U.S. assets under a divest-or-ban law; Oracle and others are expected to participate.
China's soybean import boycott concerns American farmers.

Left

Bessent Faces Scrutiny

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faces scrutiny over conflicts of interest tied to farmland holdings during China trade negotiations.
Bessent claims to have divested 96% of his assets, but retains significant interests.
Critics say his farmer portrayal is misleading, since he acts as a landlord to farmers harmed by China’s soybean boycott.
The boycott has severely impacted American farmers who previously relied on China for 54% of their soybean sales.

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Bessent Advances Trade

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says progress on trade and TikTok will follow President Donald Trump's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, and the 100% tariff on China is off the table.
A substantial framework for trade negotiations has been established.
ByteDance will divest TikTok's U.S. assets under a divest-or-ban law; Oracle and others are expected to participate.
China's soybean import boycott concerns American farmers.

1 / 2