Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has weighed in on three of the biggest flashpoints rattling American businesses right now. From a shifting U.S.-China trade landscape to TikTok’s ownership shakeup and anti-ICE protests sweeping Los Angeles, the O’Leary Ventures chairman argues one thing ties it all together: the urgent need for clear rules.
His comments come at a time when companies, advertisers, and everyday workers are scrambling for answers across trade, tech, and public safety.
U.S.-China Trade Deal Faces a New Test After Supreme Court Ruling
The trade relationship between Washington and Beijing has entered yet another uncertain chapter. The United States and China announced a series of tariff truces in 2025, including a 90-day reduction in bilateral tariffs in May, which was later extended through November 10, 2026.1
Under the deal, the U.S. agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese imports by removing 10 percentage points of the cumulative rate and to maintain its pause on heightened reciprocal tariffs until November 10, 2026.2 On the other side, China committed to purchasing at least 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually in 2026, 2027, and 2028.2
But the ground shifted again this year. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), effectively eliminating the 10 percent “fentanyl” tariffs and 10 percent reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods.3
That ruling forced the White House to pivot. Shortly after the decision, Trump announced a temporary 10 percent global tariff under a separate statute, which he said would be raised further to 15 percent.3
O’Leary has long framed tariff fights as a leverage game. He warned that China could be “virtually screwed” in a tariff stalemate with the United States.4 But he also cautioned that sky-high tariffs cut both ways, noting that “100-plus percent wipes out all trade.”
Here is a quick look at where things stand for businesses:
| Factor | Status as of March 2026 |
|---|---|
| IEEPA Tariffs on China | Struck down by Supreme Court |
| Section 122 Global Tariff | 10% in effect since Feb. 24, 2026 |
| Section 301 Investigations | Launched March 11 against 16 partners |
| China Soybean Purchase Deal | Active through 2028 |
| Reciprocal Tariff Pause | Extended to Nov. 10, 2026 |
Trump is expected to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2 for a meeting with Xi Jinping, the first trip by an American president since Trump’s last visit in 2017.5 The meeting is expected to yield limited breakthroughs, with both sides seeking to maintain stability.5
For importers, exporters, and factory owners, every policy twist changes how they price goods, plan budgets, and hire workers. O’Leary’s message is simple: businesses can move fast once the rules are locked in, but shifting goalposts freeze capital.
Kevin O’Leary TikTok deal China tariffs business impact 2026
TikTok Ownership Deal Closes After Years of Drama
The TikTok saga has been one of the most complex tech and policy battles in recent memory. And it finally reached a turning point.
The joint venture acquiring TikTok’s U.S. assets was formally established in January 2026, one day before the deadline set by President Trump, concluding a yearslong effort to secure the platform’s long-term future in the United States.6
The new TikTok U.S. joint venture is 50% held by a consortium of new investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX with 15% each, while 30.1% is held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors and 19.9% is retained by ByteDance.7
The algorithm, which many consider the heart of TikTok, remains a sticking point. Oracle will store all data from the U.S.-based TikTok app in its cloud data centers while overseeing a recreation of TikTok’s original algorithm based solely on U.S. user data.8
O’Leary had been one of the most vocal potential buyers earlier in the process. He and “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” led by Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt, offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash.9 But O’Leary later acknowledged that buying the existing algorithm was no longer on the table, saying on X, “We know that we can’t buy the algorithm. So we’re gonna have to rewrite this whole thing.”10
The deal that ultimately went through sidelined O’Leary’s bid. But his concerns about the process remain relevant.
“Policy clarity can calm markets and communities, but only if the details are public and durable.”
The deal is likely good news for TikTok’s more than 200 million American users, many of whom rely on the app for entertainment, news, and even their livelihoods.6 But questions remain about whether the arrangement fully addresses the national security concerns that motivated lawmakers to pass the law on a bipartisan basis.6
For advertisers and creators, the road ahead is still bumpy. The U.S. joint venture will retrain the recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data, meaning the experience will feel different, and users will very likely notice.11
Los Angeles ICE Protests Disrupt Business and Daily Life
While trade and tech grabbed headlines on Wall Street, a different kind of disruption hit the streets of Los Angeles.
In January 2026, protests began throughout the United States in response to shootings by immigration agents, most notably the killing of Renee Good and the shooting of two people in Portland, Oregon.12
Los Angeles became one of the centers of the movement. Thousands of Southern California residents took part in a national day of anti-ICE protests, with thousands gathering in front of City Hall and later marching to the federal detention center.13
Two protests in downtown Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday were overall peaceful before night fell, and smaller groups of demonstrators faced off with law enforcement.14 Tensions escalated after agitators began throwing fireworks, rocks, and bottles at officers.14
The numbers tell a sobering story:
- 58+ arrests across two nights in downtown LA
- Fireworks, rocks, and bottles thrown at police near the federal detention center
- High school walkouts across Los Angeles and Orange County campuses
- Several local businesses participated in closures or boycotts
The crowd included high school and college students, veterans, clergy members, unions, local politicians, and parents who took the day off from work.15
O’Leary pointed out that recurring unrest adds operating risk for retailers, restaurants, and logistics firms. Insurers may raise premiums. Companies may alter store hours or delivery routes to protect staff and customers.
This is not just a political debate. It is a bottom-line issue for business owners across the city.
Why Rule Clarity Is the Common Thread
At first glance, a trade deal with China, a TikTok ownership change, and street protests in Los Angeles seem like separate stories. O’Leary sees them as connected by one theme: when rules are clear, capital flows.
Trade rules inform factory orders. Tech rules shape ad buys and app investments. Public safety rules guide store hours and event planning.16
The trade probes are now adding fresh uncertainty to an already complicated diplomatic backdrop and a fragile trade truce between the world’s top two economies.5 Meanwhile, the TikTok deal’s long-term success depends on whether the retrained algorithm can match the original’s magic. And in Los Angeles, whether protests remain peaceful hinges on policing strategy, community trust, and federal decisions about enforcement.
Businesses across America are watching all three of these stories closely. The coming weeks and months will test whether Washington can turn headlines into stable, enforceable policy. If it does, supply chains could stabilize, ad markets could recover, and communities could begin healing. If not, expect more choppy trading, cautious hiring, and louder disputes in the streets. For millions of workers, creators, and small business owners, the stakes could not be higher.
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think matters most right now: the trade deal, the TikTok shakeup, or the protests? If you are following this story on social media, join the conversation using #ICEOut and #TikTokDeal to share your perspective with friends and family.
