United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, said the exemption of tariffs for smartphones, computers and other consumer electronics can be temporary. The statement was made on Sunday (13) during an interview with ABC’s “This Week” program.
Lutnick indicated that these products, which were excluded from “reciprocal” tariffs announced last Friday (11), can be included in a new semiconductor-related tariff regime within a month.
On Friday, the Trump government had announced the exclusion of smartphones and other commercial tariff electronics, as a measure that brought relief to the technology sector after a week of turbulence in US markets.
However, Lutnick clarified that these items are still under analysis in a semiconductor government investigation, which may result in the imposition of new tariffs.
“These products are exempt from reciprocal tariffs, but are included in semiconductor rates, which should be implemented in a month or two,” Lutnick explained.
When asked about the possibility of iPhones tariffs returning soon, he confirmed: “Correct. We need our medicines, semiconductors and electronics to be manufactured in the United States.”