Smartphones, Laptops, and Other Exempt Products to Face New Tariffs
Smartphones, laptops, and other products that were previously exempt from Trump’s April 9th tariffs will be lumped in with duties on semiconductors in “a month or two,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl on This Week.
Exemptions Revoked
Yesterday, the Trump administration released updated guidance that excluded smartphones, laptops, and more from Trump’s new tariffs, including the 125 percent additional levy on Chinese-produced goods last week.
A Special Focus Type of Tariff
“This is not like a permanent sort of exemption,” Lutnick told Karl, saying that they will be subject later to “a special focus type of tariff” applied to the semiconductor industry, similar to automotive tariffs Trump has already issued.
Impact on iPhone Production
When asked if the new tariffs will include products like iPhones, many of which are built in China, Lutnick said that’s “correct” and that the goal is to “encourage them to reshore, to be built in America.”
Concerns Over Higher Prices
I don’t necessarily think so. I think the idea is that we can manufacture here in America. As I said, there’s a — I saw Panasonic, the battery company. Right? A Japanese company. They built an amazing factory in Kansas, which they’re opening now. They were putting it in the ground when Donald Trump was President, just finishing now.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it appears that the exemptions for smartphones, laptops, and other products will be revoked in the coming months, and they will be subject to new tariffs on semiconductors. The goal seems to be to encourage companies to reshore and manufacture products in the United States.
FAQs
Q: What products will be affected by the new tariffs?
Smartphones, laptops, and other products that were previously exempt will be lumped in with duties on semiconductors.
Q: Why are these products being targeted?
The goal is to encourage companies to reshore and manufacture products in the United States.
Q: Will these tariffs result in higher prices for goods in the US?
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick does not think so, stating that the idea is to manufacture in America and that companies like Panasonic are already building factories in the US.
