U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for a deal regarding the sale of TikTok’s parent company ByteDance. This offer comes as ByteDance faces a looming April 5 deadline to find a non-Chinese buyer for the popular app or face a potential U.S. ban due to national security concerns. The Trump administration believes that TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company, poses risks related to data collection and influence operations against the United States.

Trump acknowledged that any agreement will require approval from China, suggesting he could offer a tariff reduction to help move negotiations forward. This comment signals the importance of the TikTok deal to the administration, and Trump has previously used tariffs as leverage in trade discussions with China. The U.S. has already imposed additional tariffs on Chinese imports, further complicating relations.

TikTok did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks, but China’s Ministry of Commerce reiterated its stance on tariffs, emphasizing mutual respect and equal benefits in negotiations. The Chinese government has yet to indicate whether it will agree to a deal involving a shift in TikTok’s ownership.

As the deadline approaches, Vice President JD Vance has indicated that a general agreement regarding TikTok’s future could be reached by April 5. This ongoing negotiation underscores the complex intersection of trade, technology, and national security concerns, with China’s approval remaining a significant hurdle.

source: reuters