Archive · 31 Oct 2025
China Approves TikTok US Transfer Agreement
America was worried that the Chinese government could get information from the popular app TikTok.
So, the US Congress passed a law saying that the Chinese owner, ByteDance, had to sell TikTok's business in America.
On Thursday, a top US official said that China has now agreed to this plan.
This means the sale can move forward soon.
The new plan is that American investors will own most of TikTok in the US, and most of the board will be American.
The special computer code that decides what videos you see will be monitored by American companies.
ByteDance will only own a small part, less than 20%, and will only have one seat on the board.
If they don't follow the rules by January 2026, TikTok could be shut down in the US.
China has approved the transfer agreement for TikTok's US operations, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks and months, following recent announcements.
A US law passed in 2024 mandated ByteDance to sell TikTok's US assets, with a deadline of January 2026.
Under the agreement, ByteDance will retain less than 20% ownership and one board seat, while American investors will hold the majority.
TikTok's algorithm will be retrained and monitored by US security partners, with user data stored on US-secured servers.
- Who
- China, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, ByteDance, US Congress, US President Donald Trump
- What
- China has reportedly approved a transfer agreement for TikTok's US operations, allowing the deal to move forward.
- When
- China's approval announced recently; deal expected in coming weeks and months; US law implementation deadline January 2026.
- Where
- Discussions in Kuala Lumpur; operations and data will be US-based.
- Why
- To address US national security concerns and comply with US law requiring the sale of TikTok's US assets.
- App Owner
- ByteDance (China-based)
- US User Base
- 170 million
- US Law Deadline
- January 2026
- ByteDance Board Seat
- 1 out of 7
- ByteDance Stake
- Less than 20%
Sources
US Treasury’s Bessent says China has approved TikTok transfer deal
Final TikTok deal on the way? China vows to work with US on proper resolution — What we know
US Official Says China Gave Green Light To TikTok Transfer
US-China Close In On Landmark TikTok Deal: What The Potential Breakthrough Means