Trump Claims His Team Is ‘On the Verge’ of Finalizing TikTok Agreement as Deadline Approaches
“We might utilize tariffs to gain concessions,” the president told the press.
On April 3, President Donald Trump mentioned that he might consider a deal in which China would permit the sale of the social media platform TikTok, currently owned by ByteDance, in exchange for easing the tariffs he recently placed on imports from the country.
While addressing reporters beside Air Force One, the president noted that the prospective sale of TikTok illustrates a way he could leverage tariffs as negotiation strategies with other countries.
“There is a situation involving TikTok where China will likely state: ‘We’ll approve the deal, but can you make adjustments to the tariffs?’” Trump remarked. “We might use tariffs to gain something in return.”
A crucial deadline of April 5 looms, by which TikTok must secure an agreement with a non-Chinese buyer or risk facing a ban in the United States. Last year, Congress passed legislation requiring the divestment of the app’s U.S. operations from its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance.
Trump mentioned that various investors are working towards finalizing the sale of the short video platform, and his administration is “very close” to concluding a deal.
These comments came a day after Trump unveiled extensive 10 percent baseline tariffs on all U.S. trading partners, including reciprocal tariffs of up to 50 percent on several nations.
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As a result of Trump’s new tariffs, China will encounter a total tariff of 54 percent on all products imported into the United States, following the introduction of a 34 percent reciprocal tariff to the existing 20 percent tariff levied earlier this year.
In an interview with Fox News on April 3, Vice President JD Vance indicated that a decision regarding the American buyer for TikTok would be made before the April 5 deadline.
“It will be announced before the deadline,” Vance stated. “I believe we’re in a favorable position. We will continue working on it.
“We have a couple of days to finalize some details, and of course, we’ll allow the president to announce whatever we ultimately determine.”
As the deadline approaches, several potential buyers have shown interest in acquiring the app. Among them are Amazon and a consortium headed by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely. Blackstone, a private equity firm, is also in talks to join ByteDance’s non-Chinese stakeholders to provide additional capital for a bid on TikTok’s American operations.
The White House has not responded promptly to inquiries about potential buyers for the video application.
U.S. officials have raised national security concerns about TikTok’s connections to the Chinese communist regime, which both the app and its parent company have denied. Vance reiterated these concerns to Fox News on April 3.
“Firstly, it’s essential to ensure that the TikTok app in the U.S. is not engaging in surveillance of individuals. This is crucial for national security,” he remarked.
“Moreover, we want to ensure that people have access to this remarkable platform, which, as we understand, is where many young individuals receive their news … We need to achieve both goals.”
When asked by reporters on April 3 whether Trump should extend the pause on TikTok’s U.S. ban in the event that a buyer isn’t found by the deadline, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) stated:
“I believe either a firewall with Beijing has to be established, or TikTok must be shut down immediately. It’s merely a surveillance app for the Communist Chinese Party. Hopefully, they’ll secure a buyer.”
Nathan Worcester, Emel Akan, and Reuters contributed to this report.
