The tech industry is bracing for potential new tariffs, as U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicates that the sector may not be shielded from additional trade measures. Recently, the Trump administration announced that consumer electronics, including laptops and smartphones, would be exempt from newly introduced tariffs. However, despite this temporary reprieve, the situation remains fluid.
On Friday evening, the Trump administration revealed a range of tariffs, leaving a baseline tariff of 10% intact, while imposing a staggering 125% tariff on certain Chinese goods. Although consumer electronics received an exemption, the administration has hinted at the possibility of targeted tariffs that could still impact tech products, particularly semiconductors.
During an interview on the ABC show “This Week” on Sunday morning, Lutnick clarified that while some products are exempt from reciprocal tariffs, they will be included in the forthcoming semiconductor tariffs. “All those products are going to come under semiconductors, and they’re going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get reshored,” he stated. Lutnick emphasized the critical need for the U.S. to manufacture essential components such as chips and flat panels domestically.
When questioned about whether these tariffs would lead to increased prices for American consumers, Lutnick expressed his confidence that they would not. He stressed, “I think the idea is that we can manufacture in America.” However, some critics have dismissed this vision as unrealistic, likening it to a fantasy of having a vast workforce assembling iPhones in the U.S.
Former President Trump took to Truth Social to voice his own perspective on the tariff situation. He asserted that there was “no Tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday,” pointing out that electronics manufactured in China still face a separate 20% tariff linked to fentanyl. Trump further claimed that these products are merely being shifted to a different tariff category. “The Fake News knows this, but refuses to report it,” he added, urging attention to the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations that will review the entire electronics supply chain.
This evolving story highlights the complexities of the U.S. trade policy concerning the tech industry and raises questions about the future landscape of manufacturing and pricing for consumer electronics in America.
