The US President Donald Trump has proposed a deal involving TikTok, suggesting a potential reduction in tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing’s backing of a sale of TikTok’s US operations to an American company. Speaking to reporters about the potential TikTok ban, Trump indicated he might offer China “a little reduction in tariffs” if its government supports the deal his administration has negotiated. “China is going to have to play a role in that,” he stated during a White House news conference, adding that this could involve an approval from Beijing, which he believes they will grant.
China’s Response to the U.S. ‘TikTok Concession’ Proposal
When asked about US President Trump’s comments, the Chinese Foreign Ministry pointed to earlier statements emphasizing that TikTok has consistently adhered to American laws and regulations. The ministry argued that the US should ensure an open and fair business environment for companies from all nations. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated China’s stance that “trade wars and tariff battles benefit no one.”
At the ongoing Boao Forum, often dubbed ‘China’s Davos,’ a senior Chinese official subtly criticized the US for undermining trade and geopolitical stability. According to a report in Bloomberg, Ding Xuexiang, the sixth-ranking member of the Communist Party, called for global cooperation and resistance to protectionism, stating, “We should jointly safeguard the free trade system, uphold open regionalism, and firmly oppose trade and investment protectionism.”
Amid U.S. President Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies and actions unsettling American allies, China has intensified efforts to position itself as a dependable global partner.
TikTok Ban in the US
In February, Trump issued a memorandum advocating for “fair and reciprocal” trade tariffs targeting major US trading partners, including longstanding allies. He has previously declared April 2 — when broad trade levies are set to be revealed—as “Liberation Day in America.”
The future of TikTok in the US has been uncertain since last year, when President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan law citing national security risks. The legislation mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest the app to a non-Chinese entity or face a nationwide ban.
