Trump Considers Cutting China Tariffs to Push TikTok Sale as Deadline Looms
President Donald Trump has suggested he may cut tariffs on China to help push through a deal for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. With an April 5th deadline approaching for ByteDance to find a non-Chinese buyer or face being banned in the U.S., Trump acknowledged that China’s approval is crucial, saying, “Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done.” The president also hinted at extending the deadline again if necessary, saying, “We’re going to have a form of a deal, but if it’s not finished, it’s not a big deal. We’ll just extend it.”
The TikTok divestiture is required under a national security law, but negotiations have been complicated by China’s reluctance to give up control of the multi-billion-dollar business. Trump's administration has taken an active role in the discussions, with Vice President JD Vance expressing confidence that a deal will be reached by the deadline. “There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I think satisfies our national security concerns,” Vance said.
Meanwhile, the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated with Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on all imported cars and car parts. China has responded with its own tariffs, targeting U.S. agricultural goods, aviation, and tech industries. Beijing has urged Washington to return to negotiations, reiterating its opposition to additional tariffs.
