Donald Trump Says TikTok Deal Was Almost Done But Got Stalled By China After Tariffs

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that the two sides were close to striking a deal until Beijing shifted its stance—allegedly in response to American trade measures.

The renewed efforts come as TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, remains in ongoing discussions with US authorities.

Source : Freepik

Former US President Donald Trump suggested that mounting tariff disputes with China were responsible for halting a near-finalised agreement involving TikTok. 

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that the two sides were close to striking a deal until Beijing shifted its stance—allegedly in response to American trade measures, reported ANI.

"The report is that we had a deal, pretty much for Tiktok, not a deal, but pretty close, and then China changed the deal because of tariffs. If I gave a little cut in tariffs, they'd approve that deal in 15 minutes, which shows you the power of tariffs," Trump said, emphasising the leverage he believes tariffs afford the US in trade negotiations.

Tariff Exchange Escalates Diplomatic Tensions

The impasse unfolded shortly after Trump’s announcement of a 34 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. In a retaliatory move, China imposed an identical 34 per cent tariff on US goods, effective April 10, according to a report by CNN. The back-and-forth reignited economic tensions between the two nations, particularly as both sides attempted to navigate a broader geopolitical landscape.

Despite the impasse, Trump remained optimistic. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, "My administration has been working very hard on a deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress. The deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."

He further stated, "We hope to continue working in good faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our reciprocal tariffs (Necessary for fair and balanced trade between China and the USA!). This proves that tariffs are the most powerful economic tool and very important to our national security! We do not want TikTok to 'go dark.' We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

ByteDance Awaits Regulatory Clarity Amid Negotiations

The renewed efforts come as TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, remains in ongoing discussions with US authorities. A spokesperson from the company noted that while talks have progressed, there are still unresolved elements that hinge on regulatory approval from China. "An agreement has not been executed. There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law," the company said in a statement.