United States President Donald Trump, in a major revelation, said that the deal with China on TikTok was pretty close. He claimed that China changed its mind due to tariffs, however. Trump further added that China would have approved the deal in 15 minutes if he had given a cut in tariffs. The US President stated this while speaking reporters aboard Air Force One. He was asked about a report stating that there was about to be a deal on TikTok, but China changed its mind. Trump responded to this and hailed the power of tariffs.
TikTok Deal Was Pretty Close Says Trump
Trump said, “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.”
Notably, Trump has imposed a 34 per cent tariff on China. Following Trump’s announcement, China also declared reciprocal tariffs of 34 percent on all imports from the US on April 10.
Earlier on Friday, Trump stated that his administration had been working on a deal to “save TikTok.” He added that he would sign an executive order to keep the app operational for an additional 75 days.
Trump’s ‘SAVE TIKTOK’ Deal
In a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump 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.”
Trump further expressed to working with China would continue in “good faith.” He acknowledged that China was displeased with the US reciprocal tariffs. Trump defended these tariffs as essential for ensuring fair and balanced trade between the two countries. He emphasised that the goal was to prevent TikTok from “going dark.”
“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,” he further said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump Says Tariffs Are ‘Beautiful’
Meanwhile, Trump on Sunday called the tariffs a ‘beautiful thing’ to behold. He stressed that the massive financial deficits can only be cured with Tariffs. He further expressed hope that people will some day realise that Tariffs are beautiful thing for the US.
“We have massive Financial Deficits with China, the European Union, and many others. The only way this problem can be cured is with TARIFFS, which are now bringing Tens of Billions of Dollars into the U.S.A. They are already in effect, and a beautiful thing to behold. The Surplus with these Countries has grown during the “Presidency” of Sleepy Joe Biden. We are going to reverse it, and reverse it QUICKLY. Some day people will realize that Tariffs, for the United States of America, are a very beautiful thing!” read his post on Truth Social.
