Trump Suggests Tariff Reduction for China in TikTok Deal

United States President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to consider reducing tariff rates on Chinese goods as part of an agreement with ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, for the sale of the popular social media application, Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said:

“With respect to TikTok, and China is going to have to play a role in that, possibly in the form of an approval, maybe, and I think they’ll do that. Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done.”

This suggestion was made alongside the announcement of a 25 percent tariff on imported cars and car parts.

Previously, Trump had increased additional tariffs on all imports from China to 20 percent.

Under US law, ByteDance faces a divestiture deadline of January 19 to avoid a potential ban of TikTok in the United States. Trump granted an extension, setting a new deadline of April 5. He has expressed openness to extending this deadline further if a deal regarding TikTok is not finalized.

Former President Joe Biden signed legislation into law last April requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok. Concerns have been raised by US lawmakers regarding the potential for the Chinese government to access user data through TikTok and utilize the platform for political influence.

Vice President JD Vance has stated his expectation that the fundamental terms of an agreement addressing the ownership of TikTok will be reached by April 5.

Enforcement of the law was temporarily postponed after Trump issued an executive order extending the deadline to April 5, with the possibility of further extensions to facilitate a deal.