The technology sector’s recent reprieve from tariffs on consumer electronics will likely be temporary, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Late Friday, the Trump administration announced temporary exemptions for laptops, smartphones, and other consumer tech items from tariffs introduced earlier this month. Although President Trump recently delayed many planned tariffs, a 10% baseline tariff remains in effect, in addition to an aggressive 125% levy on various Chinese products.
Speculations following Friday’s announcement suggested that broader tariff pressures on technology might still be forthcoming, particularly highlighting semiconductors as potential targets.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick provided further clarity Sunday morning on ABC’s “This Week,” underscoring that the exemption from reciprocal tariffs for consumer electronics wouldn’t protect these products from a pending round of targeted semiconductor tariffs.
“These items will be addressed specifically under our upcoming semiconductor-focused tariffs in the next month or two,” Lutnick explained. He emphasized administration efforts to incentivize domestic manufacturing, particularly in critical areas like semiconductors, chips, and flat panels, underscoring a necessity to bring these manufacturing processes back to American soil.
When pressed on the potential for increased consumer prices resulting from these tariffs, Lutnick expressed confidence that significant price hikes were unlikely, reiterating his belief that the administration’s goal was increased domestic production, rather than added costs for consumers. Critics have argued, however, that the aspiration to shift assembly and manufacturing at scale to the U.S. is unrealistic.
Meanwhile, commenting on the situation via his Truth Social account, former President Trump refuted reports of a blanket exemption, noting explicitly that electronics imported from China remain subject to an existing 20% tariff associated with fentanyl-related policies. Trump suggested these products are merely shifting classification and added that comprehensive investigations targeting semiconductors and the full electronics supply chain are planned, a move intended to bolster national security interests.
