U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that the government is preparing to place new tariffs on a range of electronic products, including smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors. These products had recently been exempted from earlier tariffs but are now expected to be covered under a separate set of trade measures.
Speaking during an interview on ABC’s This Week, Lutnick explained that the new tariffs could be introduced within the next month. He emphasized that the government is taking a different approach with these electronics by placing them under their own category of tariffs.
Just a few days earlier, the Biden administration had approved temporary tariff exemptions for many of these items, most of which are imported from China. That decision was seen as a relief for tech companies like Apple, which depend on overseas manufacturing to supply products like iPhones and MacBooks.
However, the latest comments from Lutnick make it clear that this relief may only be temporary. While the exact details of the upcoming tariffs haven’t been finalized, the message is that electronics and chip-related imports are still very much part of the broader trade strategy.
The administration appears to be aiming for a more targeted tariff plan, one that separates high-tech goods like semiconductors from other imports. This approach could allow officials to balance national security concerns and trade policy without putting immediate pressure on consumer prices.
Industry analysts and companies are now waiting for further guidance on how these new tariffs will be structured and when they’ll take effect. For now, businesses relying on foreign-made electronics are preparing for possible cost increases and supply chain adjustments.
Also Read: Apple and Nvidia Get Tariff Relief—iPhones, Laptops, and Chips Avoid Price Hike
