• Trump proposes tariff reduction to facilitate TikTok's sale to a non-Chinese buyer.
  • The proposed sale stems from a 2024 law requiring TikTok to be sold or banned due to national security concerns.
  • Trump, who now has over 15 million TikTok followers, has shifted from calling for a ban to negotiating a potential sale.

President Donald Trump has suggested he may cut tariffs on China to help broker a deal for TikTok's sale, marking a significant shift in his approach to the popular short-video platform.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump indicated flexibility in the 5 April deadline for finding a non-Chinese buyer, following a law passed in 2024 citing national security concerns.

The legislation, signed into law last year, mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity or face a complete ban in the United States.

This move came after years of ongoing concerns about the app's data privacy and potential Chinese government influence. Trump, who previously called for a total ban on TikTok during his first term, has now dramatically changed his stance.

"Maybe I'll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done," Trump said, acknowledging China's potential role in approving the sale.

He expects at least an outline of a deal to be reached by the April deadline, suggesting a willingness to negotiate and compromise.

The potential sale involves ByteDance, TikTok's current owner, with the business valued at tens of billions of dollars. Securing Beijing's agreement has been the primary challenge in finalizing the deal.

This negotiation comes against a backdrop of escalating trade tensions, with the US recently increasing levies on Chinese imports to 20% and imposing new 25% import taxes on cars and car parts.

Interestingly, Trump himself now has over 15 million followers on TikTok and claims to have received billions of views during his presidential campaign. This personal connection adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations.

The hugely popular app, used by around 170 million Americans, remains at the center of complex geopolitical and economic negotiations that could reshape the global tech landscape.

Edited By Annette George