Trump signals willingness to ease China tariffs in push for TikTok deal

03/28/2025 / By Cassie B.

President Trump may reduce China tariffs to push ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. buyer by April 5.
The move balances national security concerns with avoiding a ban affecting 170 million American users.
Trump signaled flexibility on tariffs, a shift from his typically hardline China trade stance.
Bipartisan fears over Chinese data harvesting drove the divestment push, but free speech advocates oppose a ban.
The White House is brokering a market-driven solution, with potential buyers like Elon Musk or Oracle’s Larry Ellison.

In a strategic move that underscores his administration’s commitment to both national security and free-market principles, President Donald Trump has suggested he may reduce tariffs on China to facilitate a deal forcing TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular app to a U.S. buyer.

The announcement, made Wednesday, highlights Trump’s balancing act: addressing legitimate concerns over Chinese data collection while avoiding a heavy-handed government ban that would restrict 170 million Americans’ access to the platform.

With an April 5 deadline looming for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a U.S. ban, Trump’s willingness to use tariffs as leverage signals his preference for a negotiated, market-driven resolution — one that safeguards American interests without resorting to outright censorship.

A bargaining chip in high-stakes negotiations

Trump’s remarks came during a White House press briefing, where he acknowledged China’s pivotal role in approving any potential sale. “With respect to TikTok, China is going to have to play a role in that, possibly in the form of an approval, maybe, and I think they’ll do that,” he said. “Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done.”

The president’s openness to tariff relief marks a notable shift in his typically hardline stance on China trade policy. Just last month, his administration imposed an additional 20% levy on Chinese imports, reinforcing his reputation as a tariff hawk. Yet, his latest comments suggest TikTok’s fate is a priority significant enough to warrant economic concessions.

Vice President JD Vance has indicated that a deal resolving TikTok’s ownership could be finalized by the April 5 deadline. However, Trump has left the door open for an extension, stating, “If it’s not finished, it’s not a big deal. We’ll just extend it.”

National security vs. free speech concerns

The push to force ByteDance’s divestment stems from bipartisan fears that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a national security risk, potentially enabling Beijing to harvest American user data or manipulate public opinion. A 2024 law, passed with overwhelming support, mandated the app’s sale by January 19—a deadline Trump extended to April 5 via executive order.

But while security concerns are valid, free speech advocates warn that an outright ban would set a dangerous precedent. Critics argue that blocking TikTok outright would violate the First Amendment by restricting Americans’ access to a global platform, effectively allowing the government to dictate digital expression.

Trump’s approach—seeking a market-based transfer of ownership rather than an authoritarian-style ban—reflects a middle ground. By leveraging tariffs rather than brute regulatory force, he aims to preserve both security and free speech.

The administration’s deep involvement in brokering a deal is unprecedented, with the White House effectively acting as an investment bank. Reuters reported last week that talks are centering on a plan for ByteDance’s major non-Chinese investors to increase their stakes and acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Trump has previously floated Elon Musk or Oracle’s Larry Ellison as potential buyers, emphasizing his preference for private-sector solutions. “There are numerous ways you can buy TikTok, and we will find the one that’s best,” he said.

As the April 5 deadline nears, all eyes will be on whether this gamble pays off—delivering a solution that protects both national security and the open marketplace of ideas.

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