High Stakes: U.S.-China Trade Talks Intensify Amid Nvidia Probe and TikTok Deadline
Nvidia Probe and TikTok Deadline Loom Over U.S.-China Trade Talks
Madrid, September 15, 2025 — Trade talks between the United States and China stretch into a second day in Madrid. The discussions focus on TikTok’s role, tariff levels, and export controls. Tensions rise as new probes and tight deadlines add weight to decisions. Each word links closely to the next, making every connection count in this debate.
Progress and Challenges in Ongoing Negotiations
In the fourth round of talks over the past four months, the U.S. team sends Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. China stands with Vice Premier He Lifeng and lead trade negotiator Li Chenggang. In May, both sides agreed to pause harsh tariffs and lift some limits. Today, they build on that step to ease trade strain.
Bessent said both sides made good headway on small details. They near an agreement on TikTok’s status in the United States. He stressed, “Our Chinese counterparts asked hard things. We will see if we can meet that. We are not ready to risk national safety for a social media app.”
TikTok Deadline and Its Significance
TikTok, owned by Beijing’s ByteDance, faces a hard deadline on Wednesday. The company must close a deal to keep operating in the U.S. Its recommendation code sits at the center of these talks. Washington wants more limits on how it runs, while Beijing has put this tech under export rules.
The app holds a key spot in politics and culture, especially for young American voters. Neo Wang, a lead China strategist at Evercore ISI, said Beijing might agree to Trump’s needs on TikTok if that cuts U.S. tariffs by 10% or more.
Rising Tensions: Investigations and Regulatory Actions
Troubles mount on both sides. Over the weekend, China began two probes of the U.S. semiconductor industry:
• An anti-dumping probe on some U.S.-made analog IC chips.
• An anti-discrimination inquiry into U.S. measures that target China’s chip work.
These probes came after the U.S. added 23 China-based firms to its watch list last Friday.
On Monday, China’s market regulator said an early review found Nvidia violated the country’s law on unfair competition. More checks on the U.S. chip maker are planned. George Chen, partner at The Asia Group, said Nvidia now plays a role in moves by both sides. He sees the long probe as a tactic from China.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and Future Engagements
Officials also plan to talk about a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Reports state that Beijing wants Trump to visit China for the first state trip since 2017. Success in that meeting may depend on today’s decisions and on solving the TikTok issue.
Broader Implications and Reactions
Wendy Cutler, former U.S. trade representative and head of the Asia Society Policy Institute, called the talk style before the Madrid rounds “not encouraging.” She warned that China will likely ask for a rollback of new limits during Trump’s second term.
She added that the economic ties between the nations seem stuck. Both sides trade with limits on exports and tech.
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized Trump’s call for the European Union to impose up to 100% extra tariffs on China for its purchases of Russian oil. The ministry called the move a clear case of one-sided economic bullying and said it would act to guard its interests.
Outlook
As the U.S. and China work through trade disputes—amid tariff fights, technology rules, and social media debates—observers watch with care. The coming days in Madrid will shape the path of one of the world’s most important trade links.
For continuous updates on U.S.-China trade talks and related developments, stay tuned to CNBC.
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