President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he would consider offering tariff relief to China if Beijing approves a deal for the sale of TikTok, the short video app owned by ByteDance.
Trump suggested that the ongoing negotiations over TikTok could serve as an example of how tariffs can be leveraged in trade negotiations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump explained, "You have a situation with TikTok where China will probably say: 'We'll approve a deal, but will you do something on the tariffs?'" He emphasized that tariffs could be used to gain favorable concessions from other countries, including China, in this case.
TikTok, which is under pressure to find a non-Chinese buyer by April 5 to avoid a potential ban in the United States, has become a key point of contention between the U.S. and China. The app faces significant scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over security concerns related to its Chinese ownership. Trump mentioned that his administration is "very close" to reaching a deal on TikTok, with several investors currently involved in the negotiations.
Trump's comments came just a day after he announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. and raised duties on some of the country’s biggest trading partners, including China. As of now, China is facing a 54% tariff on goods imported into the U.S.
TikTok has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding Trump's remarks. The situation highlights the ongoing use of tariffs as a tool for negotiating with China and other nations in the broader context of U.S. trade policy.
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