So… is there a TikTok deal or not? Here’s the latest update

The question on everyone’s mind is simple: So… is there a TikTok deal or not? After months of back-and-forth between the U.S. and China, officials say “progress” has been made. But despite hints of approval, the situation remains murky—and the details are still thin.

A deal that seems stuck at 99%

China and the U.S. reportedly inched forward on a plan for ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American consortium. This deal is not just about ownership—it’s a legal requirement that has been overdue for nine months.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump claimed a tentative deal had been reached. Approval was expected Friday, but instead, we got another vague update. The progress bar feels like it’s been stuck just shy of complete.

What Trump and Xi said about TikTok

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had a “very productive call” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Trump, the two leaders discussed trade, the fentanyl crisis, the Russia–Ukraine war, and “the approval of the TikTok deal.”

Trump also said he appreciated Xi’s “TikTok approval” and noted they plan to meet again at the APEC Summit in Korea this October. That statement sounded like a green light. But his phrase “we made progress” leaves plenty of room for doubt.

Why clarity matters now

So… is there a TikTok deal or not? That ambiguity matters because TikTok’s future in the U.S. impacts millions of creators, advertisers, and users. Every delay fuels uncertainty for the app’s community and for the companies circling the deal.

With Washington and Beijing framing the outcome differently, it’s clear the situation isn’t fully resolved. Until both sides confirm a signed agreement, TikTok’s fate remains in limbo.