Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he may consider lowering tariffs on Chinese imports as part of efforts to secure a deal for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Speaking to reporters during a briefing at the White House, Trump stated that reducing the existing tariff rates could be a strategic concession to ensure Beijing’s approval of the sale of TikTok, the short-form video platform owned by China’s ByteDance Ltd.
“Every point in tariffs is worth more than TikTok,” Trump said, suggesting that China’s cooperation might hinge on economic incentives. “Maybe I’d give them a reduction in tariffs,” he added.
The development comes as Washington moves closer to enforcing a legislative deadline requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations by April 5.
The mandate, originally set under President Biden’s administration and temporarily extended by Trump through executive order, reflects growing bipartisan concern over data privacy and national security risks tied to the Chinese-owned app.
Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his presidency, now appears to have softened his stance, attributing part of his campaign’s growing influence among younger voters to the platform’s outreach potential.
While the former president insists on a deal being reached soon, he confirmed he holds the discretion to extend the deadline if necessary.
“We’re going to have a form of a deal, but if it’s not finished, it’s not a big deal,” Trump said. “We’ll just extend it. I have the right to have the deal and to extend it if I want.”
Several American-led investment groups have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. arm.
Among them are a consortium led by billionaire Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, another team featuring tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley and YouTube personality MrBeast, and a proposed merger involving San Francisco-based Perplexity AI.
Oracle Corp. is also reportedly evaluating a deal structure that includes a minority stake and enhanced security protocols.
The Chinese government, however, remains a crucial gatekeeper. Analysts warn that accepting tariff concessions in exchange for a forced sale could create a dangerous precedent.
Josef Mahoney, professor of international relations at East China Normal University, noted that “Beijing will be loath to encourage Trump to cherry pick his way through China’s best international brands as the price for dropping tariffs that he imposed in the first place.”
While China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially responded, Beijing has previously expressed strong opposition to forced divestments.
The outcome of this potential deal could shape not only the future of TikTok in the United States but also set the tone for U.S.-China technology relations ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
As political and market observers monitor the evolving situation, Trump’s willingness to link trade policy with tech negotiations underscores his unconventional, deal-driven approach to international economic strategy.
