During a recent interview, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, raised concerns that exemptions for certain electronic products from reciprocal tariffs may not last. He indicated that separate tariffs targeting these items are expected to be implemented soon.
“While the electronics are currently exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, they will fall under the semiconductor tariffs expected to take effect in the next month or two,” Lutnick stated during his appearance on ABC News’ This Week.
Lutnick’s remarks dampen expectations that popular consumer electronics manufactured in China, including computers, laptops, smartphones, and flat-panel televisions, would be spared from Trump’s proposed 145% reciprocal tariffs. These tariffs typically lead to increased costs for U.S. importers, which are often passed down to consumers.
On Friday evening, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a temporary reprieve for smartphones, computers, and various other technology devices and components from the reciprocal tariffs.
Emphasizing the administration’s national security priorities, Lutnick remarked that the United States “cannot be beholden and rely upon foreign countries for fundamental things that we need.”
“This isn’t a permanent exemption,” he clarified. “President Trump is making it clear that these products won’t be on the table for negotiation with other countries.”
Lutnick further asserted, “These are items essential for national security that need to be produced domestically.”
The news of the reciprocal tariff exemptions was a temporary relief for technology firms, notably Apple, which sources a significant portion of its production from China.
However, Democratic Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey criticized the mixed signals sent by the Trump administration regarding the recent reversal on reciprocal tariffs for certain electronic goods and the abrupt suggestion for a 90-day halt in new tariffs against other nations. He argued that such confusion is detrimental to the United States.
“President Trump is facing a crisis of credibility,” Booker stated in an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press. “We are receiving feedback from around the globe. There is a growing uncertainty about whether people can trust his word.”
