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In other tariff news, a reduction in tariffs on China may be used as a negotiation tactic to help facilitate a deal for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. With an April 5th divestment deadline looming, the former president’s comments suggest a willingness to ease trade pressure in exchange for Beijing’s cooperation. The move marks a strategic shift—blending national security priorities with trade diplomacy—and revives efforts to find a buyer for TikTok that satisfies both U.S. regulators and Chinese authorities. This announcement comes just days after the U.S. imposed fresh auto tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other imports, showing that tariff policy is now being used both as a pressure tactic and a bargaining chip.

This isn’t the first time TikTok has been in political crosshairs. In 2020, Trump issued executive orders to ban the app, citing national security concerns, though legal challenges and a lack of follow-through left the issue unresolved. Now, with TikTok’s massive U.S. user base and influence on everything from culture to commerce, the stakes are even higher. For consumers, a successful sale could preserve uninterrupted access to the platform. And for content creators and brands, TikTok remains a crucial gateway to reaching younger, highly engaged audiences—making platform stability vital for the digital economy.