What's happened
President Trump and Xi Jinping held multiple calls this week, signaling efforts to stabilize relations. They discussed trade, TikTok, and upcoming in-person meetings at the APEC summit. While progress was reported, key issues like TikTok's ownership and trade tariffs remain unresolved amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The recent diplomatic exchanges between the US and China reflect a strategic effort to manage their rivalry through dialogue rather than confrontation. The focus on TikTok symbolizes broader concerns over technology control and national security, but the negotiations reveal underlying tensions. The US seeks to secure data and algorithm control, while China aims to protect its technological interests and leverage trade negotiations. The planned in-person meetings and potential visits suggest both sides see value in diplomacy, but unresolved issues like tariffs, export controls, and geopolitical flashpoints such as Taiwan and the South China Sea will likely continue to complicate progress. The upcoming APEC summit will be a critical juncture, where tangible agreements could either solidify a fragile détente or expose deeper divisions. The US’s delay in enforcing TikTok’s sale law indicates ongoing uncertainty, and China’s insistence on market principles signals a cautious approach. Overall, these negotiations will shape the trajectory of US-China relations in the coming months, with significant implications for global trade, technology, and geopolitics.
What the papers say
Contrasting perspectives emerge from the sources. The South China Morning Post emphasizes the diplomatic progress, highlighting the planned meetings and the framework agreement on TikTok, suggesting a cautious optimism about stabilizing relations. They note that both sides are eager to present diplomatic wins, with China seeking to leverage the deal for broader trade concessions. Conversely, The Guardian and Reuters point out the persistent uncertainties, emphasizing that key issues like ownership control, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions remain unresolved. The Guardian underscores the ongoing rivalry and the risk of escalation over Taiwan and the South China Sea, warning that the diplomatic efforts are fragile. Reuters highlights the complexity of the negotiations, noting that the details of the TikTok deal are still unclear and that both sides are cautious about making commitments that could backfire. Overall, while there is a shared narrative of progress, skepticism remains about the depth and durability of these agreements.
How we got here
Relations between the US and China have been strained over trade, technology, and geopolitical issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. Recent high-level calls and trade talks aim to de-escalate tensions, with a focus on TikTok’s ownership and data security, amid broader efforts to stabilize bilateral ties ahead of upcoming summits.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Did US and China Leaders Say About TikTok?
In September 2025, US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a rare phone call to discuss various issues, including TikTok. This meeting marked a significant step in diplomatic relations, raising questions about what was actually said about TikTok and how it might impact global tech. Below, we explore the key points from their discussions, future meetings, and what this means for TikTok and international relations.
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Are US and China Making Progress on TikTok?
Recent talks between the US and China have focused on TikTok, with both sides aiming to find common ground. While some progress has been reported, key issues like ownership and data security remain unresolved. Curious about what this means for TikTok and global relations? Below are answers to the most common questions about these developments.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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ByteDance Ltd. is a Chinese multinational internet technology company headquartered in Beijing. It was founded by Zhang Yiming in 2012. ByteDance is reportedly worth over US$100 billion as of May 2020.
ByteDance's core product, Toutiao, is a content platf