Trump Claims China TikTok Deal Stalled Due to Tariffs, Demands Trade Surplus Resolution with EU

President Trump stated on April 6, 2025, that a near agreement with China regarding TikTok was altered due to the imposition of U.S. tariffs. He indicated that China would have approved the deal quickly if tariffs were reduced, highlighting their influence. Trump's administration believed they were nearing a deal for TikTok's operations to be spun off into a new U.S.-based company with majority American ownership, while China's ByteDance maintained a minority stake. However, Beijing reportedly paused the deal after Trump announced new tariffs. Trump also insists on resolving trade deficits with the EU, demanding they address their surpluses. On April 2, 2025, Trump imposed a 20 percent tariff on all imports from the EU. The Trump administration estimates the tariffs charged by the European Union to the United States at 39 percent and cuts this figure by half to come up with the 20 percent, in what Trump labeled “kind reciprocal” tariffs. He has also, in the past, questioned U.S. spending on NATO while facing trade deficits, suggesting that European nations should increase their defense spending. In January 2025, Trump suggested the NATO spending commitment should be 5% of GDP.