China Rejects Trump’s Tariff Concessions Linked to TikTok Deal

Thursday 27 March 2025 - 08:40

By: Zahouani Ilham

China Rejects Trump’s Tariff Concessions Linked to TikTok Deal

China has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to ease tariffs if Beijing approves a deal involving TikTok. Trump recently stated that four groups were in negotiations to acquire the platform, which faces an uncertain future in the United States.

Under a U.S. law enacted due to concerns about potential Chinese influence and data security risks, TikTok must separate from its parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban. The law took effect on January 19, one day before Trump's inauguration. However, he promptly delayed its enforcement, allowing TikTok to continue operating, with the new deadline set for April 5.

Speaking at the White House, Trump suggested offering China a minor tariff reduction to facilitate the deal, emphasizing that an agreement would be reached. If negotiations were not completed on time, he indicated he might extend the deadline. However, Beijing swiftly rejected this approach. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated that China's stance on tariffs and TikTok remains unchanged.

Ongoing Interest in TikTok Acquisition

Trump had previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term over national security concerns. The app briefly shut down in January before resuming operations in February, following an extended grace period.

Several entities have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, including AI startup Perplexity, which envisions integrating its search technology with the platform’s video-sharing capabilities. Another bid, "The People's Bid for TikTok," is backed by real estate mogul Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty. Other potential buyers include Microsoft, Oracle, and a consortium involving internet celebrity MrBeast.

Perplexity warned that a consortium-led purchase could leave ByteDance with control over TikTok’s algorithm, while a sale to a competitor might lead to market monopolization. The company emphasized that unrestricted content feeds benefit society by preventing external manipulation.