US and China Reach ‘Framework Deal’ for TikTok

During the trade meeting in Europe between China and the U.S., both governments confirmed that a framework deal for TikTok had been reached, giving a consortium that includes Oracle, Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz alongside existing ByteDance investors an 80% controlling stake.

Written by Jackie Leavitt (Editor at Large)

Reviewed by Aleksander Hougen (Chief Editor)

Last Updated: 17 Sep'25

Both the U.S. and Chinese governments have confirmed a “framework deal” has been reached, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the U.S. business would be 80% controlled by a consortium including Oracle, Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz. Joining the consortium are existing ByteDance investors, including Susquehanna International, KKR and General Atlantic.

Although details are still vague, it seems that China will license the TikTok algorithm to the U.S. President Trump and President Jingping will supposedly further discuss the details during a meeting on Friday amid the trade negotiations.

Congress passed a law in 2024 that required TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, to divest from the social media app.

TikTok had been scheduled to be shut down on Sept. 17, but President Trump postponed it a fourth time, allowing the deal to be finalized without disrupting use of the social media platform by roughly 170 million Americans.

News of the TikTok sale breakthrough happened on Monday, Sept. 15, during Chinese and U.S. trade meetings in Europe — the fourth round of negotiations in four months. However, the U.S. consortium of buyers weren’t named until the following day.

Li Chenggang, China’s lead trade negotiator, confirmed a “basic framework consensus,” according to Reuters.

President Trump also posted a note on Truth Social on Sept. 15, saying that “a deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save.”

There had been widespread interest in buying TikTok, with businesses like Oracle and Amazon making bids to purchase the social media platform.

Although the consortium would give 80% control to the U.S., including one member designated by the U.S. government, Congress could still intervene if there continue to be national security risks.