TikTok Deal to Be Signed Off This Week: Reports from White House

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says all details for TikTok’s sell-off have been “ironed out,” with leaders expected to finalise the agreement this Thursday in Korea — though Beijing’s approval remains uncertain.

Where the TikTok–U.S. Deal Stands

The long-running TikTok ownership saga may finally be reaching its turning point.
According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, TikTok’s transfer into U.S. ownership could be finalised before the December 16 enforcement deadline set under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

That date marks the expiry of President Trump’s fourth executive order delaying enforcement of the bill, which mandates that apps controlled by foreign adversaries — notably China — divest their U.S. assets or face removal from U.S. app stores.

In an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, Bessent stated that after negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials in Madrid, “all the details are ironed out,” and both sides are now positioned to close the deal.
If all goes to plan, the agreement will be formally signed off by both leaders during their meeting in Korea on Thursday.

“I believe that as of today, all the details are ironed out, and that will be for the two leaders to consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea,”
— Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary

Still, questions remain about whether Chinese regulators have fully agreed to the proposed framework — a critical step before the White House can claim a final win.

For full context on the legislative background, see our previous coverage:
U.S. TikTok Ban Act Explained and
Economic Impact of the TikTok Ban in the U.S.

China Pushes Back Against “Protectionism”

While Washington is signalling confidence, Beijing’s tone is more cautious.
In recent weeks, Chinese officials have criticised U.S. trade measures, including the latest wave of tariffs on China-based exports, accusing the U.S. of using “national security” as a pretext for protectionism.

As reported by China Daily:

“In spite of the national treatment concept fervently promoted by the U.S. (and other Western economies), the U.S. administration tends to view any successful Chinese business as a ‘national security threat.’”

Analysts believe Beijing may leverage TikTok’s approval as part of a wider negotiation, potentially linking it to sensitive geopolitical topics such as Taiwan’s status.
This makes the sell-off far more complex than a simple corporate transaction.

For the ongoing diplomatic context, revisit our breakdown:
TikTok Ban: September Update

TikTok’s Policy Shifts

Behind the scenes, TikTok has already started adjusting to the potential new U.S. ownership structure.
The platform recently updated its data-sharing policies, which may allow U.S. authorities to request access to user data for investigative purposes — a move that aligns with U.S. data localisation and transparency demands.

Such policy shifts could signal that TikTok is preparing to operate under U.S.-based data governance rules, should the deal go through.
They also align with speculation that a U.S.-only version of TikTok may be in development, separating the app’s American operations from its global structure.

Explore this angle in:
Is a U.S.-Only Version of TikTok in the Works? and
TikTok’s Supreme Court Case Explained

What Happens Next

If the White House and Chinese officials both confirm the final terms, the TikTok sell-off could be signed in Seoul, South Korea, as early as this Thursday.
If not, the deal will continue to hang in limbo until the December 16 enforcement deadline — after which the Protecting Americans Act could trigger immediate restrictions on the app’s U.S. operations.

At this point, both sides have incentives to close:

• The U.S. wants to secure TikTok under American control ahead of election season.
• China seeks to avoid a full ban while maintaining face over foreign policy stances.

Still, mutual distrust and political leverage could easily delay progress once again.

House of Marketers Insight

For creators and marketers, the implications are significant.

A completed sell-off could mean stricter data compliance, possible algorithm changes, and new advertising oversight under U.S. regulation.

If the deal collapses, brands may need to prepare for a U.S.-only TikTok ecosystem, with potential limits on cross-border campaigns and creator partnerships.

Read more about what we think brands should do in case of a TikTok ban.

At House of Marketers, we help brands adapt to TikTok’s evolving policies through data-driven influencer campaigns, UGC strategy, and platform-specific growth frameworks.
We will continue to monitor the developments of the TikTok–U.S. ownership deal and update you as negotiations progress.

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