President Donald Trump stated that China could secure a discount on U.S. tariffs if it agrees to an American takeover of TikTok. The remark adds a new dimension to ongoing trade tensions and the Biden-era push for TikTok’s sale to a U.S. company over national security concerns.
The Trump administration has long viewed TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, as a potential security risk. By linking the app’s ownership to trade negotiations, Trump appears to be using economic pressure to force China’s hand.
China has yet to respond to the proposal, but analysts warn that such a move could further strain U.S.-China relations. Meanwhile, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
