Trump-China TikTok deal: What we know

This story appeared in The Logoff, a day by day publication that helps you keep knowledgeable concerning the Trump administration with out letting political information take over your life. Subscribe right here.Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration says it has agreed on a deal that will let TikTok keep away from a US ban.What’s the context? TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese language tech firm ByteDance, was imagined to be topic to a nationwide ban beginning in January 2025, after a deadline for ByteDance to promote the app — imposed by Congress in 2024 — handed unmet.As a substitute, President Donald Trump has signed a collection of government orders punting on the ban. The most recent of these orders, in June, set the brand new deadline for September 17 — this Wednesday.What does the deal say? We don’t know but, although any deal would require the sale of TikTok to a US-based proprietor. As is usually the case beneath Trump, the introduced deal is at the moment only a “framework,” based on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Chinese language officers mentioned Monday that the 2 sides had reached a “fundamental consensus” on a deal.Why did the US need to ban TikTok within the first place? Concern about TikTok boils all the way down to a priority about Chinese language affect. ByteDance’s shut relationship with the Chinese language authorities, coupled with the app’s proprietary content material algorithm and huge attain — TikTok has about 170 million American customers — imply China may acquire entry to very large quantities of American information or use TikTok to unfold propaganda.Why does this matter? TikTok’s huge person base within the US means a possible ban is a politically delicate matter, significantly with younger voters who’re turning into more and more electorally essential for each events.What comes subsequent? It’s nonetheless potential Trump pushes the deadline for the ban again additional as phrases of the deal — if it holds — are finalized. For now, Trump mentioned he’s set to talk with Chinese language President Xi Jinping concerning the deal on Friday.And with that, it’s time to log out…It’s essentially the most great time of the yr: The 2025 World Athletics Championships started over the weekend in Tokyo, Japan, which implies 9 days of fantastic observe and discipline motion. However the remainder of the schedule goes to have a tough time topping my favourite race of the meet to date, from this morning (East Coast time, at the least — Tokyo is 16 hours forward).Within the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the place runners leap over 4 obstacles and one water leap per lap for seven and a half laps, New Zealand runner Geordie Beamish took a surprising win over double world champion and double Olympic gold medalist Soufiane El Bakkali. It’s the form of end it is advisable to see to imagine, and you’ll watch it right here. Have an important night!