President Donald Trump may cut tariffs to China if it helps seal the deal when it comes to selling TikTok. He also said he was willing to extend the April 5 deadline for a non-Chinese buyer of the platform to be found.
“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,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
“Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done,” he added.
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In January 2025, TikTok faced a temporary suspension in the U.S. due to national security concerns. This followed the government’s demand for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its U.S. operations. On Jan. 19, the app was removed from U.S. app stores, causing significant disruption.
However, just two days later, on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days. This extension allowed time for further negotiations, particularly around ByteDance’s efforts to comply with U.S. regulations, including a potential sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American companies.
The temporary suspension highlighted ongoing concerns over data security, as U.S. lawmakers and officials debated the platform’s risks. This brief ban was part of a larger geopolitical debate over TikTok’s role in the U.S. and its relationship with China, where it is headquartered. The situation was resolved with additional discussions.
Responding to the comments, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said Beijing “has repeatedly stated its position. China’s opposition to the imposition of additional tariffs has always been consistent and clear.”
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create, share, and discover short videos, typically set to music. Launched in 2016 by the Chinese company ByteDance, it quickly gained global popularity due to its easy-to-use interface, creative tools, and algorithm that promotes viral content.
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TikTok enables users to film and edit videos up to three minutes long, incorporating effects, filters, and audio tracks. It covers a wide range of content, including dance, comedy, tutorials, and challenges. With millions of active users, TikTok has become a significant influence on entertainment and social media trends worldwide.