“Just move to another tariff barrel”: Trump said China’s chips face national security investigations. More tariffs are expected
“These electronic devices are just turning to different tariff ‘barrels,” Trump said in a social media post. “We are looking at semiconductors and the entire electronic supply chain in the upcoming national security tariff investigation.”
The White House revealed the exclusion of steep reciprocity tariffs on Friday.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned that key Chinese technology products, including semiconductors, will soon face separate new responsibilities within the next two months.
These exclusions are considered short-lived for technology companies such as Apple and Dell Technologies that rely on Chinese imports.
Trump caused a volatile decision on Wall Street last week, with the S&P 500 index falling more than 10% since he took office on Jan. 20. Lutnick explained that the new responsibilities will include “special focus rates”, including smartphones, computers, computers and other smartphones and other departments in two months or twice, as well as new departments targeting the new department’s goals. These responsibilities will not be beyond reciprocal tariffs, and recently raised the collection of Chinese imports to 125%. “He said they are not subject to reciprocity tariffs, but they are included in the tariffs on semiconductors, which could appear in one or two months,” Lutnick said. “These are national security and we need to make it in the United States.”
In retaliation, Beijing raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125% on Friday. After Lutnick’s comments came after China said it was evaluating the impact of the exclusion announced late Friday on technology products.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said: “The bells on the tiger’s neck can only be bound by people tied up.”
On Friday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a notice to shippers listing 20 product categories, including computers, laptops, disc drives, semiconductor devices, memory chips and flat panel displays, which will be exempt from new import taxes.
Reuters input
