President Donald Trump made it clear that iPhones and other Chinese-made electronics will not be getting any special treatment. He posted on Truth Social that “nobody is getting off the hook.” Many people thought these products might be safe from new tariffs, but Trump said they are not. They will still face the 20% fentanyl tariff. The only change is that these items will be placed into a new tariff group. Trump said his team is now looking at the entire electronics supply chain. That includes semiconductors, chips, and other important parts used to make phones, computers, and gadgets. A national security investigation is coming soon.
Earlier Announcement Seemed to Protect Electronics Makers
Last Friday, Trump’s team filed a rule that made people think some electronics might be safe. The rule seemed to give Apple and other big companies a break. Apple makes over 80% of its products in China. That’s according to data from Evercore ISI. Apple CEO Tim Cook has stayed close to Trump during all these talks. But this news changed fast. Before Trump’s Sunday post, many experts believed top iPhone models could rise in price. Some said they might cost up to $2,300 if the tariffs go through. Now, it looks like those price jumps could really happen.
Commerce Secretary Explains New Tariff Plan
On Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick gave more details. He said these electronics will not be part of the first list of tariffs. But they will get their own new tariff very soon. That could happen in a month or two. Lutnick explained that these items will fall under a new semiconductor tariff. The goal is to bring production back to the United States. Lutnick said America needs to make its own chips, screens, and flat panels again. He added that this plan is not just for electronics. The White House also wants drug companies to bring back medicine production to the U.S. This is all part of a bigger plan for national security.
Trump Paused Some Tariffs but Raised Others
Just a few days earlier, Trump hit pause on a different group of tariffs. He announced a 90-day break to give his team time to work out new trade deals with other countries. The president said some people were getting “yippy” or nervous. That happened because markets were falling hard. But he kept a 10% base tariff on almost all imports. He also added a new 125% tariff on goods coming from China. When you add in the 20% fentanyl tariff, the total rate for most Chinese products comes to 145%. That’s a big jump. And it shows how serious Trump is about this trade plan.
U.S. Wants to Make Products at Home Again
Trump said the U.S. must stop relying on countries like China. He called China a “hostile trading nation.” He wants more products made in America. That includes electronics, medicine, and other key items. Lutnick said America should not count on Asia for things we use every day. He explained that these tariffs will help bring jobs and factories back. The goal is to become stronger and safer as a country. Tariffs will also give companies a reason to build in the U.S. instead of overseas. It’s about national strength and not letting other countries control what we need.
No Exemptions Allowed Under Trump’s Policy
Even with the 90-day pause, Trump’s top advisors say the policy has not changed. There are no exceptions. No special deals. Senior advisor Peter Navarro said this again on Sunday. He said Trump’s rule is simple: “No exemptions, no exclusions.” That means all products must follow the same rules. Navarro also explained why this is tricky. He said we don’t buy chips in bags. We buy them inside phones, TVs, and computers. So the government is now checking the full chip supply chain. They want to know where every part comes from. That way, they can make sure nothing is missed.
