'TikTok was Trump’s stated reason for the call and he got what he wanted: Xi blessed the framework of a deal that would keep the app running in the U.S. Details–including exactly who controls the all-important algorithm that powers the app–still need to be finalized.

What Beijing got in return was a series of bilateral summits Trump outlined in his Truth Social post: first a meeting between the two at the coming gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders in South Korea, then a Trump visit to China in early 2026, and a Xi trip to the U.S. for the Group-of-20 leaders’ powwow scheduled for December that year.

In effect, by conceding on the social-media app that is a low-stakes priority for the Chinese leadership, Xi locked in not just one but three bilaterals with Trump, potentially ensuring engagement for more than a year. Most notable among them is Trump’s promised trip to China–the first U.S. presidential visit to the country since 2017, when Trump last went.

“The Chinese are behaving like lion-tamers–using their leverage like whips and chairs, doling out small treats to keep things calm,” said veteran American diplomat Danny Russel.

It means for now at least, Beijing is achieving what it has been aiming for: stringing Washington along in protracted negotiations by offering up as little as possible.'

WSJ