Trump Suggests Tariff Cuts to Secure TikTok Sale

US President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of cutting tariffs on China to facilitate the sale of TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by Chinese firm ByteDance.

Trump also indicated he might extend the April 5 deadline set for TikTok to be acquired by a non-Chinese buyer, adding that he expects at least an outline of a deal to be reached by that date.

Tariffs as a Bargaining Tool

“With respect to TikTok, China will have to play a role, possibly in the form of an approval. I think they’ll do that,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

“Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done,” he added.

The remarks come as Trump recently imposed a 25% tariff on all imported cars and auto parts, a move that has heightened global trade tensions.

In response, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated Beijing’s long-standing stance against additional tariffs, stating that China’s opposition to such measures remains "consistent and clear."

TikTok’s Future Hinges on Beijing’s Approval

The biggest obstacle to finalizing TikTok’s sale has been securing approval from Beijing. Under a 2024 law passed during President Joe Biden’s administration, ByteDance must either sell TikTok or face a US ban due to national security concerns.

Trump had initially pushed for TikTok’s outright ban during his first term but has since joined the platform, where he now boasts over 15 million followers. He claims to have garnered billions of views during his presidential campaign.

Trade War Escalation

The TikTok negotiations are unfolding amid a backdrop of intensifying US-China trade tensions.

• February 4: Trump doubled tariffs on Chinese imports, raising them to 20%.

• February 10: China retaliated with 10-15% tariffs on US agriculture, aviation, defense, and tech firms.

• March 4: Beijing doubled its 10% levy to 20%.

• March 26: Trump announces new 25% tariffs on imported cars and auto parts.

Beijing has urged Washington to resume dialogue, while adding US firms to an "unreliable entity list" and imposing export controls in retaliation.

As the April 5 deadline nears, the fate of TikTok remains uncertain, with both economic and geopolitical factors influencing the outcome.