China Urges U.S. to Address TikTok Dispute Through Dialogue
China’s Ministry of Commerce said Friday it will review issues related to TikTok in line with its laws and regulations, while urging the United States to resolve concerns through mutual respect and equal consultation, according to Reuters.
The statement comes as the U.S. Treasury confirmed that TikTok—owned by China’s ByteDance and facing a potential U.S. ban unless sold to an American entity—will be a central topic during next week’s talks in Madrid between senior U.S. and Chinese officials.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to meet with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and other senior leaders to continue discussions on trade, economic issues, and TikTok’s uncertain future.
The meetings are part of Bessent’s European tour from September 12–18, covering both Spain and the U.K.
The dispute has dragged on for months. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously extended the deadline for ByteDance to find a U.S. buyer for TikTok’s American operations three times, most recently granting a 90-day extension starting June 19.
With that deadline approaching on September 17, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains unclear, with no sign of a finalized deal. Trump noted in August that U.S. buyers are lined up but confirmed he has yet to raise the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
