Beijing was steeling itself for a first-week assault from Donald Trump. That hasn’t happened — yet — so Chinese leaders are making nice and hoping to cut a deal.

In his first few days back in office, President Trump is talking about TikTok entirely as a deal making exercise, dropping all of his previously expressed concerns about Chinese influence and American national security.

The President, who has suggested that the U.S. take on 50 percent ownership of TikTok, hinted that potential tariffs on China will be closely linked to whether such a joint venture is approved. “If China didn’t approve it,