On April 17, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that China has reached out to resume discussions on tariffs, signaling a potential de-escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations. Trump expressed caution about imposing additional tariffs, noting that excessively high duties could deter consumer purchases. “At a certain point, you make it where people don’t buy,” he stated.
The U.S. had previously increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% in response to China’s retaliatory measures, which included halting Boeing aircraft deliveries and restricting Hollywood imports. However, both countries now appear to be seeking a resolution, with China indicating it would not escalate tariffs further.
Regarding TikTok, Trump confirmed that while a deal exists for the platform’s U.S. operations, its finalization is contingent upon the broader trade negotiations with China. “We have a deal for TikTok, but it’ll be subject to China, so we’ll just delay the deal till this thing works out one way or the other,” he remarked.
The President has extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its U.S. assets, emphasizing the importance of resolving trade issues before proceeding with the TikTok agreement. Potential buyers for TikTok’s U.S. operations include Amazon, Oracle, and other interested parties.
