Trump vows nobody getting ‘off the hook’ for ‘unfair’ trade balances
President Donald Trump made it clear on Sunday that no country would be “off the hook” when it comes to unfair trade practices and tariff barriers. The Trump administration recently announced exemptions for imported smartphones, laptops, and other electronics from reciprocal tariffs, but the president wanted to clarify the situation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “There was no Tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket.’ 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.”
Trump emphasized the need to manufacture products in the United States and not be held hostage by other countries, especially those engaging in hostile trading practices like China. He vowed to put an end to decades of abuse in trade and ensure that the American people are respected.
The president highlighted the importance of making America self-sufficient and strong, promoting more and better-paying jobs, and manufacturing products domestically. He declared that the days of allowing other countries to take advantage of the United States were over.
In response to the announcement on Friday, Customs and Border Protection issued new guidance on reciprocal tariff negotiations, exempting certain goods from Trump’s executive orders on tariffs. The exemption applies to products such as hard drives, computer processors, solar cells, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, flat-panel TV displays, and memory chips.
While the exemptions will benefit consumers and electronics giants like Apple, Samsung, and Dell, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that the exemptions would be temporary. Lutnick suggested that semiconductor tariffs would be implemented in the near future, hinting at more changes to come.
Despite the exemptions, the administration remains committed to encouraging tech companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that companies like Apple, TSMC, and Nvidia were working to onshore their manufacturing in the United States.
As Trump prepares to unveil more specifics on exemptions, the administration’s focus on strengthening American manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign countries remains clear. The president’s stance on trade issues underscores his commitment to making America great again and ensuring a prosperous future for the nation.
