TikTok seems set to avert U.S. ban

President Trump, in online post, hints at deal amid upbeat talks with Chinese officials.

- QUEENIE WONG

U.S. TREASURY Secretary Scott Bessent, in glasses, said Monday in Madrid that a Tik Tok deal "framework" could be finalized Friday.

President Trump, who years ago led the charge to ban TikTok from the U.S., seemed to claim credit for saving it in a move he said should delight young voters.

Trump and negotiators suggested Monday that the short video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance will avert a ban.

It is a remarkable turn of events that could end a years-long saga around the fate of the popular platform, which has become one of the most desirable assets in technology, even as it has been used as a geopolitical pawn reflecting the volatility of relations between China and the U.S.

Trump on Monday suggested that U.S. and Chinese officials struck an agreement ahead of a Wednesday deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner because of national security concerns.

"A deal was also reached on a 'certain' company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy!" Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform.

Trump said he would be speaking Friday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Trump's post came on the same day Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters there was a "framework" for a TikTok deal and it was expected to be finalized Friday. U.S. and Chinese officials have been holding trade talks in Spain.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and TikTok didn't respond to questions about the deal.