Trump and Xi to Hold High-Stakes Call on TikTok Deal as U.S.-China Trade Talks Continue Amid Tariff Disputes and Security Concerns

Published Time 09-19-2025, 16:00 EDT

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a high-stakes call on Friday, with TikTok’s future in the United States and broader U.S.-China trade issues on the agenda.

The discussion is expected to finalize key terms of a deal that would allow the social media platform to continue operating in America while also signaling whether the two leaders might meet in person to negotiate a wider trade settlement. Analysts say the outcome could mark a turning point in the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship.

Another Call in a Strained Relationship

The scheduled conversation marks Trump’s second call with Xi since returning to the White House. In recent months, tensions have escalated after the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing.

“We’re very close to deals on all of it,” Trump told reporters Thursday, referencing both TikTok negotiations and broader trade issues. While he emphasized his “very good” relationship with Xi, Trump also suggested that China’s economic ties to Russia could complicate progress, particularly over Beijing’s purchase of Russian oil during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington declined to confirm details of the planned call but stressed the importance of dialogue. “Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

Focus on the TikTok Agreement

At the center of the discussions is TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance. U.S. officials have raised concerns that Chinese data laws could allow government access to American user information, while also citing national security risks tied to the app’s algorithm.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this week that negotiators had reached a framework agreement, but final approval would rest with Trump and Xi. Trump, who has repeatedly extended deadlines for a TikTok restructuring, described the platform as having “tremendous value” that the U.S. effectively controls by requiring government approval.

Chinese officials announced that both sides had agreed on measures covering intellectual property rights and U.S. user data protections. According to Beijing, the deal includes entrusting a partner organization with oversight of American data security and content moderation.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, ranking Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, cautioned that oversight must be watertight:

“TikTok’s data and algorithm must be truly in American hands to comply with the law,” he said.

Trade Tensions Beyond TikTok

TikTok is only one element in a complex and unresolved trade relationship. Since May, U.S. and Chinese negotiators have held multiple rounds of talks, pausing tariff escalations and easing some export controls. Yet many disagreements remain.

Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China issues at the International Crisis Group, said both leaders are likely to frame the call in ways that project strength.

“Trump will likely seek to make it appear that the United States has the upper hand in trade negotiations,” Wyne explained. “Xi will likely seek to underscore China’s economic leverage and warn that continued progress will hinge on easing U.S. tariffs, sanctions, and export controls.”

Key unresolved issues include U.S. technology export restrictions, fentanyl-related chemical flows, and Chinese purchases of American agricultural products.

Impact on U.S. Farmers

The ongoing trade war has had a direct economic impact on American farmers, many of whom have seen exports to China collapse. From January through July this year, U.S. farm exports to China dropped by 53% compared with the same period in 2024, with sorghum sales down a staggering 97%.

Josh Gackle, chairman of the American Soybean Association, said producers remain hopeful but increasingly impatient.

“There’s still time. It’s encouraging that the two countries continue to talk,” Gackle noted. “I think there’s frustration growing at the farmer level that they haven’t been able to reach a deal yet.”

China is the world’s largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, and its pause in purchases has left American producers uncertain heading into the new harvest season.

Analysts See Potential for Summit

Experts believe Friday’s call could also set the stage for a broader summit between Trump and Xi later this year. Sun Yun, director of the China Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center, said both sides are motivated to reach a leadership-level agreement.

“Both sides have a strong desire for the summit to happen,” Sun said. “The details lie in the trade deal and what can be achieved for both sides.”

Whether a breakthrough occurs may depend on how the leaders balance domestic political considerations with the long-term need for stability in bilateral relations. For Trump, demonstrating control over TikTok and leverage in trade talks plays into his political brand. For Xi, maintaining China’s economic resilience while reducing tariff burdens remains a priority.

Looking Ahead

Friday’s call carries implications well beyond TikTok. It represents an opportunity for Washington and Beijing to stabilize relations after years of volatility while addressing digital security, trade imbalances, and agricultural disputes.

If successful, the discussions could pave the way for a leadership summit and gradual de-escalation of one of the world’s most critical rivalries. But without concrete progress, farmers, businesses, and tech companies on both sides of the Pacific may face continued uncertainty.