The Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) expressed concerns on Wednesday, September 17, about the reported U.S.-China framework deal for TikTok, specifically questioning whether it would allow continued Chinese influence over American users.

“Based on initial reports, I am concerned the reported licensing deal may involve ongoing reliance by the new TikTok on a ByteDance algorithm and application that could allow continued CCP control or influence,” Representative John Moolenaar said in a statement.

The reported framework agreement, discussed during trade talks in Madrid, comes ahead of a September 17 deadline under U.S. law requiring TikTok’s divestiture. According to Reuters, the proposal envisions transferring TikTok’s U.S. assets to American ownership – though exactly how much access ByteDance might retain to its algorithm remains an open question. China stated this week it would review technology exports and intellectual property licensing “in accordance with the law.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previously said that Americans must own the technology and control the algorithm. He warned that TikTok might be forced to shut down in the U.S. if China does not approve a deal that ensures these conditions.

The Treasury Department has declined to specify which entities might acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations or elaborate on algorithm control arrangements, describing it as “between two private parties.”

Broader Context

Moolenaar’s concerns about TikTok align with his broader stance on U.S.-China relations regarding technology. In a separate development, Moolenaar recently led efforts targeting U.S.-China joint institutes and degree programs, particularly those in science and technology.

“These partnerships must end,” Moolenaar said regarding approximately 50 ongoing academic partnerships between U.S. and Chinese institutions that were identified as “high-risk” in a congressional report.

Regulatory Background

The 2024 law, passed during the Biden administration, required TikTok’s divestiture by January, citing concerns that U.S. user data could facilitate Chinese government surveillance or influence operations. Several lawmakers argue the law requires complete separation between Chinese and U.S. TikTok assets.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that an agreement had been secured to preserve TikTok’s U.S. presence and confirmed he had plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, September 19. Bloomberg separately reported the call is scheduled for 9 a.m. Washington time, with TikTok on the agenda.

Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang confirmed through state news agency Xinhua that the two sides reached a “basic framework consensus properly resolving TikTok-related issues through cooperative means.”

The social media platform has an estimated 170 million U.S. users who have faced months of uncertainty regarding the app’s future in the American market.