Trump floats cutting tariffs on China to salvage TikTok deal

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he may reduce tariffs on China to help facilitate the forced sale of TikTok just days ahead of the app’s looming U.S. ban deadline.

The Chinese-owned platform, used by some 170 million Americans, faces an April 5 shutdown unless Beijing greenlights a sale to a U.S. buyer. Trump said he’s willing to extend that headline and hinted that tariff relief could be offered in exchange for China’s cooperation.

“Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs, or something, to get it done,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “You know, because every point in tariff is worth more money than TikTok, if you think … In order to get China to do [it], maybe I’d give them a reduction in tariffs as an example. Sounds like something I would do.”

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Trump’s remarks come as his administration ramps up pressure on foreign nations with new tariffs, including a 25% levy on all vehicle imports announced Wednesday. While Trump called for TikTok’s ban during his first term, he now boasts over 15 million followers on the platform and has credited it with driving massive engagement in his reelection campaign.

The suggestion of easing tariffs marks a strategic pivot from Trump’s earlier approach. In February, he doubled tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20%, and Beijing responded with new retaliatory measures targeting U.S. agriculture and tech firms. Despite the economic brinkmanship, the president signaled that securing a sale of TikTok was a high enough priority to justify leverage shifts.

“We will have a form of a deal,” Trump said. “TikTok is very popular. Very successful. Very good. 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. I have the right to have the deal and to extend it if I want … we have a lot of interest in TikTok.”

Beijing’s approval remains the key holdup in negotiations, with ByteDance — TikTok’s Chinese parent company — still waiting for a green light to proceed. China’s commerce ministry said it would cooperate with Washington on the basis of mutual respect and benefit during a press conference Thursday, according to Reuters.

Trump previously delayed the enforcement of the TikTok law by 75 days in an Inauguration Day executive order, buying time to find a deal.

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