Trump says no tariff exception granted for electronics

FILE: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping engaged in bilateral discussions during the G20 Buenos Aires summit on December 1, 2018. (Photo By Dan Scavino/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

By Anadolu, Philippine News Agency

ISTANBUL – US President Donald Trump denied reports that his administration had granted a tariff exception for electronics like smartphones and chips, contrary to suggestions late last week that consumer tech products would be spared from sweeping reciprocal tariffs.

“NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook’ for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!’ Trump said Sunday on his Truth Social account.

“These products are subject to the existing 20 percent fentanyl tariffs — they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket,’” he added.

“The Fake News knows this, but refuses to report it. We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations. What has been exposed is that we need to make products in the United States, and that we will not be held hostage by other Countries, especially hostile trading Nations like China, which will do everything within its power to disrespect the American People.”

“The Golden Age of America, which includes the upcoming Tax and Regulation Cuts, a substantial amount of which was just approved by the House and Senate, will mean more and better paying Jobs, making products in our Nation, and treating other Countries, in particular China, the same way they have treated us,” he added.

US Customs and Border Protection published a notice Friday appearing to exempt electronic products from 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, raising hopes that such items had been spared.

But Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attempted to clarify things Sunday, saying electronics were not permanently exempt but would instead be subject to new semiconductor-specific tariffs expected in the next month or two as part of a broader strategy.