U.S. President Donald Trump indicates he may offer China tariff concessions if Beijing approves a deal for TikTok’s U.S. operations. 

Speaking at a White House news conference on Wednesday, March 26, Trump said China would need to play a role in resolving the TikTok situation.

“China is going to have to play a role in that, possibly in the form of an approval, maybe, and I think they’ll do that,” Trump stated. He adds that he might give China “a little reduction in tariffs” in exchange for their cooperation.

National Security Concerns Drive Divestiture Order

The short-video app’s future in the United States is uncertain due to a bipartisan law signed by former President Joe Biden that cited national security concerns. The legislation requires ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban.

Trump signed an executive order on January 20 giving ByteDance until April 5 to sell or divest TikTok. The platform briefly went offline in the U.S. just before Trump’s inauguration but restored service after the President indicated he would review the ban.

Chinese Response and Ongoing Negotiations

When asked about Trump’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun referred to past statements that TikTok has always complied with U.S. laws. Guo reiterated China’s position that “trade wars and tariff battles produce no winners.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is working with national security adviser Michael Waltz to identify potential buyers. Vance expressed confidence about reaching a deal with a new owner by the approaching deadline. Wyoming billionaire Reid Rasner is among several potential suitors for the platform, which has millions of users and carries a reported valuation of up to $50 billion.

“We will find the one that’s best, best for the country,” Trump stated. “I’m worried about our country more than anything else with respect to TikTok.”