On January 18, 2025, the United States imposed a ban on TikTok, and the issues of data privacy and the possibility of complete eradication became central to the debate. This change, in particular, created uncertainty regarding the future of TikTok in the United States. On September 15, 2025, the Trump administration and China announced negotiations for TikTok to continue its operations in the United States.[i] It is significant that Trump has made TikTok a target since his first presidential term and achieved tangible outcomes.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced on Friday the intention to reach a consensus and conclude the agreement following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In this regard, TikTok is considered to be administered by Oracle. In September 2025, Oracle’s Chairman of the Board, Larry Ellison, became the world’s richest person within a short period of time. Also, Trump also said in January 2025 that Ellison, a Trump supporter, would support TikTok’s acquisition of US assets.[ii]
It can be said that these developments have become one of the fundamental dynamics of digitalization and privacy that shape international relations in the 21st century. As technological developments redefine the interactions between governments, international organizations, and the private sector, digital platforms play a critical role in diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations. In this context, TikTok’s emergence as a negotiating tool in U.S.–China relations vividly reveal the deepening role of digitalization in international politics. The report named Digital Diplomacy: The Impact of the Internet on International Relations, written by Nicholas Westcott and published by the Oxford Internet Institute, emphasizes the transformative effect of the Internet on international relations. [iii]
The role of digitalization in international relations is categorized into three fundamental bases:
Increasing the Diversity of Actors: The Internet reduces state authority and makes the decision-making process more difficult, even while it increases the number of voices and interests involved in international policymaking.
Accelerating the Dissemination of Information: Affecting the consequences and control of events by accelerating the dissemination of true or false information.
Enabling the Faster and More Cost-Effective Delivery of Diplomatic Services: The Internet provides a more efficient facilitation of services by states, both to their own citizens and in their interactions with other countries.
These effects can be clearly observed in the context of TikTok’s U.S.–China negotiations. TikTok is not only a social media platform anymore, but it has also become a symbol of strategic issues such as national security, data privacy, and economic interests. The U.S.–China summit that took place in Madrid highlighted the importance of TikTok during this period and demonstrated how digital platforms have become tools for negotiation in international relations. [iv]
The role of TikTok in U.S.–China relations reflect effects such as the “multi-actor system” and the “dissemination of information,” as Westcott mentions. TikTok, as a platform with 170 million U.S. users, holds strong influence, especially among the rising generation. The Trump administration regarded TikTok as a ‘litmus test’ of Beijing’s seriousness in negotiations and assessed that reaching an agreement to allow the platform to continue its operations in the United States would serve as a precursor to broader trade and security negotiations.[v] This supports the thesis that the Internet reduces the control of governments and that new actor, such as technology companies and digital communities, are influential in international policy.[vi]
The debates about TikTok also demonstrate the Internet’s capacity to accelerate the dissemination of information. The ongoing debates about the platform’s data privacy and national security threats spread rapidly through both social media and formal channels, shaping public perception. This feature of the Internet affects diplomatic procedures by spreading information globally without fact-checking. The possibility of TikTok being banned heightened concerns about data privacy and directed users to alternative platforms. This situation exemplifies that the Internet is not only a communication tool but also a discursive power that leads the public to interrogate the source of knowledge in the power–knowledge relationship and also presents information in a versatile way.
The Madrid negotiations show how the “digital diplomacy” approach works in practical terms. At the meetings, high-level officials framed the debate, technical teams conducted detailed negotiations, and final approval was ensured through leaders’ phone calls, providing an example of the negotiation model. This model presents an effective approach to solving complex international problems in the digital age.
The TikTok agreement is a clear example of the effects of digitalization in international relations. It has been indicated that in the next round of negotiations, Washington intends to focus on critical materials for high-technology industries, such as rare earth elements and magnets. Digitalization is not only restricted to social media platforms; it also has a deep effect on high-technology industries and strategic areas such as the clean energy transition.
The tariffs imposed by the United States on China, which can reach as high as 145 percent, signify a new chapter in the ongoing trade conflict, while China’s retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent have heightened hopes for the development of a system for exemptions and tariff reductions, especially concerning tech goods like smartphones and semiconductors. China’s investigation into Nvidia for antitrust issues is seen as tactical leverage in the context of technology export regulations. Experts emphasize that this move is Beijing’s attempt to strengthen its position against the United States. Additionally, essential resources for advanced technology sectors—like rare earth metals and magnets—are expected to play a key role in ongoing strategic rivalries, especially regarding the shift to clean energy and the pursuit of technological supremacy.
[i] “A TikTok deal has finally been reached with China, the Trump administration says”, CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/15/tech/trump-tiktok-china-deal, (Date Accessed: 16.09.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “Digital Diplomacy: The Impact of the Internet on International Relations”, Oxford Internet Institute, https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/old-docs/RR16.pdf, (Date Accessed: 16.09.2025).
[iv] “US, China reach framework deal on TikTok; Trump and Xi to speak on Friday”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-reach-framework-deal-tiktok-trump-xi-speak-friday-2025-09-15/, (Date Accessed: 16.09.2025).
[v] “Beyond an app: What TikTok reveals about the next phase of China-U.S. negotiations”, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-16/What-TikTok-reveals-about-the-next-phase-of-China-U-S-negotiations-1GIc9ecJtzW/p.html, (Date Accessed: 16.09.2025).
[vi] Ermağan İ. (2022). “ULUSLARARASI İLİŞKİLER VE TEKNOLOJİ: GİRİFT BİR İLİŞKİNİN SONU DİSİPLİNDE YENİ BİR “ALT DAL” MI?”, Akademik Hassasiyetler, 9(18), 49-78.
