US President Donald Trump does not want to understand the latest customs exceptions for smartphones, laptops and other important electronics products as such-and thus continues to contribute to the confusion of his government’s trade policy. An “exception” was by no means announced, the Republican wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The affected product groups would only be moved to another “bucket” and continued to subject the “Fentanyl-Zöllen” from 20 percent to imports from China. The background to this long existing taxes is his accusation that the dangerous synthetic drug fentanyl into the USA gets from China.
The US President accused the media of consciously hiding this fact, and-as often before-described it as “fake news”. Several US media had reported that the recent exception referred exclusively to Trump’s decree to the so-called reciprocal tariffs-and that the previously imposed “fentinel tariffs” should remain unaffected.
Even before the exceptions became known, which Trump himself does not want to be understood as such, the President was back to several trading partners and had suspended parts of his previously announced special tariffs for 90 days. At the same time, however, he tightened the course towards China: the United States now demands additional tariffs of up to 145 percent on imports from the People’s Republic. For its part, Beijing wants to raise 125 percent on US goods.
Consultant speaks of hair splitting
Trump’s statements arise in a phase of overall unclear communication of his government on the comprehensive customs measures against numerous countries. Shortly before, Trump’s economic advisor Peter Navarro and US trade minister Howard Lutnick tried to dispel the impression of a lover course on television-but provided contradictory statements themselves.
While Navarro literally said at the broadcaster NBC News: “There are no exceptions” and the debate as a hair splitting, Lutnick admitted the corresponding exceptions to the broadcaster ABC News – but emphasized that it was only temporary relief and new tariffs are already in preparation. Similar to Trump, Lutnick said that the goods were only excluded from the so -called reciprocal tariffs, but would soon fall under new, sectoral taxes in the area of semiconductors. That is why Trump will shortly announce new tariffs – “which will probably come in a month or two”.
Trump probably alluded to this with his reference to the “bucket”. At Truth Social, the President said that the entire supply chain in the area of semiconductors is currently being examined. “We will not let other countries take us as hostages,” Trump wrote – “especially not of enemy trade nations like China.”
Navarro: “Exactly as we imagined it”
Navarro defended the government’s line at NBC News as a well thought -out strategy: “It develops exactly as we imagined it,” he said. Numerous countries would be in line to negotiate new trade agreements with the USA – “90 deals in 90 days” are possible.
Among other things, he cited Israel, Great Britain, the European Union, India, Japan – and initially North Korea, which he corrected to South Korea, however. He did not answer a question about the concerns of many Americans who fear for their retirement provision and rising prices for everyday goods.
Uncertainty is plagued by companies, consumers and stock exchanges
The trade policy back and forth of the US government not only ensures uncertainty on the stock exchanges internationally, but also affects US companies and consumers. The criticism of the Democrats, which are in both chambers in the minority in the congress in the congress, is correspondingly clear.
A consistent customs policy is not recognizable, said democratic senator Elizabeth Warren. “All of this is just chaos and corruption,” she told ABC News and asked with a view to the Trump government: “How can you believe only one of these types?” Due to the extreme market fluctuations associated with Trump’s customs announcements, Warren and other Democrats have asked for an investigation to be illegally enriched on the stock exchange.
Customs easier for Apple and Co
The exception to electronics products is a great relief for US providers of computer technology, which largely have their devices produced in Asia. Apple is particularly affected: the group has the majority of its iPhones and other devices manufacture in China – even if production has been moved to Vietnam and India in recent years.
The goal of the Trump government to strengthen domestic production with its customs policy is likely to encounter considerable hurdles in practice. Industry experts, for example, believe Lutnick’s idea of having iPhones manufactured in the United States with the help of robots in the future. There is a lack of qualified specialists, specialized suppliers and the necessary infrastructure. In addition, a shift in production to the United States would probably significantly make the devices significantly more expensive.
