US-China Trade Talks Continue Amid Looming TikTok Deadline

US and Chinese officials are convening for a second day of trade negotiations in Spain, aiming to address ongoing trade disputes and the approaching deadline concerning the Chinese-owned app TikTok. The discussions are led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

In July, both nations agreed to extend their tariff truce by 90 days, postponing the deadline to November 10. This extension provided additional time to negotiate and address mutual concerns over digital security and market access.

President Donald Trump, who previously advocated for a ban on TikTok during his first term, has since softened his stance. He has delayed the ban multiple times and recently suggested that national security and privacy concerns related to the app and its parent company, ByteDance, are "highly overrated."

The current deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer or face a ban is set to expire on Wednesday. However, expectations are growing that this deadline will be extended for a fourth time.

During the ongoing talks, officials are also expected to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.

The negotiations aim to stabilize bilateral relations and foster a more predictable economic environment between the world's two largest economies.