China Rejects TikTok Sale Despite Trump's Tariff Easing Offer

International

27-03-2025, 19:25

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Follow-up - WAA

The Chinese government announced on Thursday its rejection of a US offer to ease tariffs on Chinese imports in exchange for agreeing to sell TikTok in the United States.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun confirmed in a press statement that "China's position on tariffs is firm and clear, and that it will not accept any compromise on issues of economic sovereignty under any circumstances." He emphasized his country's rejection of any political pressure or conditions related to Chinese technology companies.

US President Donald Trump had previously expressed his willingness to consider a "small reduction" in tariffs imposed on China if it agreed to sell TikTok's US operations. This was in response to a new US law that took effect last January, requiring ByteDance, the app's owner, to sell its US assets or face a complete ban.