Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he is willing to reduce tariffs on China. This would be to finalize a deal with ByteDance for the sale of TikTok. The app is used by 170 million Americans.
ByteDance has until April 5 to find a non-Chinese buyer for TikTok. Otherwise, the app will face a U.S. ban due to national security concerns. This ban was initially set to take effect in January under a 2024 law.
The law stems from concerns that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok makes it beholden to the Chinese government. There are fears that Beijing could use the app to conduct influence operations against the United States and collect data on Americans.
Trump said he was willing to extend the April deadline if a deal was not reached.
He acknowledged China’s important role, stating “maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done.” TikTok did not immediately comment.
China’s commerce ministry stated its position on tariffs is consistent. The ministry added that Beijing is willing to engage with Washington based on “mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”
Trump’s comment indicates the TikTok sale is a priority for his administration. It also indicates that it is important enough to use tariffs as leverage with Beijing.
In February and earlier this month, Trump added levies totaling 20% to existing tariffs on all imports from China.
Securing China’s agreement to relinquish control of TikTok has always been the biggest hurdle. The business is worth tens of billions of dollars. Trump has used tariffs as a bargaining tool in TikTok negotiations before.
On January 20, he warned he could impose tariffs if Beijing failed to approve a U.S. deal with TikTok.
Vice President JD Vance anticipates the general terms of an agreement resolving TikTok’s ownership by April 5.
Reuters reported that White House-led talks are focusing on a plan. The plan involves TikTok’s largest non-Chinese backers increasing their stakes and acquiring the app’s U.S. operations.
The app’s future has been uncertain since a law required ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19.
The app briefly went dark in January after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban. It came back to life days later once Trump took office.
Trump issued an executive order postponing the law’s enforcement to April 5. He said last month that he could further extend that deadline.
The White House has been unusually involved in these talks. They are effectively acting as an investment bank.
Free speech advocates have argued the ban is unconstitutional. They believe it unlawfully restricts Americans from accessing foreign media in violation of the First Amendment.
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