WASHINGTON D.C. — In a notable shift in tone, President Donald Trump on Thursday signaled that the bruising tariff battle between the United States and China might be approaching a resolution — though a final deal over the future of TikTok’s U.S. operations remains on hold. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump acknowledged the limitations of escalating tariffs, hinting that the U.S. might refrain from implementing further increases. “At a certain point, you make it where people don’t buy,” the president admitted, referring to the inflationary pressure tariffs place on American consumers. “So, I may not want to go higher, or I may not even want to go up to that level. I may want to go to less,” he added — a telling remark from a leader who only weeks ago threatened tariff rates as high as 245% on certain Chinese goods.

Trade Tensions Easing?

The president’s remarks come amid market unease over tit-for-tat tariff hikes that began anew on April 2, sending global indices tumbling. While Trump levied a 10% tariff on most imported goods, he deferred a decision on higher rates pending negotiations. China, for its part, imposed retaliatory measures but later signaled it would no longer engage in what it called a “numbers game” over tariffs — a sign both economies may be reaching the limits of this standoff. “China’s been in touch,” Trump revealed, expressing optimism about striking a deal in the “next three or four weeks.” However, insiders told Reuters that while lower-level communication has continued, meaningful high-level talks — the kind required for a breakthrough — remain elusive.

TikTok Caught in the Crossfire

Meanwhile, the popular short video app TikTok — used by more than 170 million Americans — remains in geopolitical limbo. Trump has long pressured Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets, citing national security concerns over user data and influence. Although a deal has reportedly been structured, Trump said finalizing it would have to wait until the broader trade dispute with China is resolved. “We have a deal for TikTok, but it’ll be subject to China,” the president confirmed. “We’ll just delay the deal ‘til this thing works out one way or the other.”

Markets Watching Closely

Trump’s softer rhetoric on tariffs hints at growing economic and political pressures at home. Analysts warn that escalating tariffs could depress U.S. consumer spending — a cornerstone of economic growth — especially as inflation remains stubbornly high. Investors reacted cautiously to Thursday’s comments, viewing them as a possible opening for talks, but also wary of Trump’s tendency to pivot positions quickly. “We’ve seen this playbook before — extreme demands, sharp rhetoric, then a pullback,” one analyst at Morgan Stanley noted.

A Deal on the Horizon?

While it remains unclear if Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have spoken directly, the shift in both governments’ public messaging hints at a possible de-escalation phase. For now, markets, policymakers, and TikTok’s millions of American users are left watching and waiting — caught in the crosswinds of a trade war that continues to shape the global economic landscape.