US President Trump is suggesting compromises on tariffs to China in return for a deal to acquire TikTok. Numerous buyers are already competing, while Bytedance, the social network’s parent company, has not yet announced its plans to sell it to the US.

TikTok – USA: A Long-Drawing Deal

The acquisition of the US branch of TikTok, the platform owned by the Chinese technology company Bytedance, is unlikely to be completed in the near future. After taking office in January, the US President assured that he would resolve the TikTok issue within a few months.

However, he has faced a firm refusal from China regarding the app. Guo Jiakum, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Beijing’s position on the matter. He emphasized that China has already repeatedly opposed the sale of the app.

The Chinese leader’s statement is a response to Donald Trump’s suggestion that tariffs on Chinese goods be reduced in exchange for a compromise regarding TikTok.

25% tariff increase in case of refusal

“China is going to have to play a role (in the sale of the app), they’re possibly going to have to approve it, and if they do, maybe I’ll give them a small reduction on the tariffs“, the US President said from the White House.

Trump made this offer just after announcing a 25% tariff increase on imported vehicles a few minutes earlier. For Chinese electric cars, already subject to a 100% tariff since August 2024, this will bring the tariffs to 125%.

In response to this increase, Chinese diplomacy expressed itself through its representative, stating that its “position against the application of additional tariffs is consistent and explicit“.

In an atmosphere of trade tension

At the beginning of March, Beijing responded by imposing higher tariffs on certain American products. China also cited Trump’s actions in this sector, accusing him of harming economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Despite his contribution to the deterioration of relations with China, the US President remains hopeful of reaching an agreement regarding TikTok.

“We will have some form of agreement, but if it is not finalized, it doesn’t matter. We’ll simply extend (the deadline). I have the right to extend it if I wish,” added the White House tenant. While Bytedance has not announced its intention to sell the platform to the Americans, several acquisition candidates have already come forward. “We’re negotiating with four different groups, and a lot of people are interested“, Donald Trump said.

Tik Tok’s likely buyers include prominent figures and global companies:

• Elon Musk
• The AI startup Perplexity
• Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the Reddit platform
• Project Liberty, created by real estate developer Frank McCourt
• Microsoft
• Oracle