The tension between Washington and Beijing may finally be easing as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that America is “very close” to striking a deal with China to resolve the long-standing dispute over TikTok.
Speaking in Madrid on Monday, September 15, Bessent revealed that fresh trade and technology talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng had resumed, raising hopes of progress in one of the most heated global standoffs. These negotiations, scheduled to last until Wednesday, coincide with the deadline for TikTok to either find a non-Chinese buyer or face a US ban.
“On the TikTok deal itself, we’re very close to resolving the issue,” Bessent told reporters on arrival at Spain’s foreign ministry for a second day of talks. He stressed that even without a settlement, “it doesn’t affect the overall relationship between the two countries. It’s still very good at the highest levels.”
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has faced US scrutiny for years over alleged national security risks. Initially, former President Donald Trump backed a ban, but later softened his stance after acknowledging the app’s influence among young American voters. Now, with the deadline expiring this week, all eyes are on whether Washington and Beijing can reach common ground.
The talks also cover tariff wars, rare earth exports, and the fierce semiconductor battle, with China recently launching probes into Nvidia and US chipmakers. Meanwhile, Trump has hinted at a possible trip to China for direct talks with President Xi Jinping later this year.
This latest round of diplomacy could reshape global trade and tech relations if successful.
