Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears on ABC This Week, to explain and clarify the purpose of the recently announced tariff exceptions.
According to the explanation, there are two “sector specific” tariffs in Semiconductors and Pharmaceuticals that will be announced in the next few months. The recently announced “exemptions” are products that will be included in the sector specific tariffs that are also identified as “non-negotiable” tariffs.
Semiconductor items, automobiles, steel and aluminum as well as pharmaceutical products will fall under categories or ‘sectors’ of products that will be non-negotiable in all trade agreements for the tariff levy applied. Any nation who enters negotiations for new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will not be permitted to negotiate trade on semiconductor products, automobiles, steel, aluminum and medications. WATCH:
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Sure sure.
suspicious….not the same happy Lutnick Ive become accustomed to.
Im curious what the happy Quokkas take will be on all this.
Of all the pols, I’ve got to trust this guy Lutnick. You can feel his genuineness. Ain’t a BS bone in his body.
I got no problem with adjustments, O got no problem with “a weakening dollar”.
President Trump didn’t create this cockamamie, f’d up system, he is like all of us, just trying to navigate thru it.
Sadly, the leftists are too stupid to comprehend the dire condition the US economy was in when PDT took office. Their ignorance and the MSM’s constant anti-PDT drool will only paint “the sky is falling” total bs narrative. PDT has some of the best economic people in the world implementing his agenda. Personally, it’s difficult to listen to any media that 1st doesn’t get it, and second even if they did understand the big picture, they wouldn’t report it accurately anyway
Oh no. They know very well what was the condition of the economy. They just lie.
Agreed! The two happy warriors, Sec. Lutnick and Kevin Hassett are my favorite. Sincere, genuine and doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.
Seems like the Administration is laying out to those negotiating and the public the areas where they are flexible and the areas they are not. Common sense and concise messaging.
Areas that are not negotiable are most certainly national security issues. Lawfare may try to adjudicate this but Courts rightly have no place being involved in national security issues.
Buy American
Don’t blame Trump. Blame the Bushes, the Clintons, Obama and Biden for what economic troubles may come. These people sold out the middle class in favor of making money from the Chinese and advancing their globalist agenda. Remember daddy Bush was the first who started talking about the new world order. Remember the propaganda about this century being the Chinese century just like the last century was America’s century. Like if it was inevitable. It’s not. Trump is trying to fix a gargantuan mess. By definition, it will be messy. Don’t shoot the messenger. Oh wait, they did already but he survived. Go Trump.
Clinton should have been prosecuted for Chinagate.
Bill Clinton on the United States – China Relations Act of 2000
President Bill Clinton in 2000 pushed Congress to approve the U.S.-China trade agreement and China’s accession to the WTO,[13] saying that more trade with China would advance America’s economic interests: “Economically, this agreement is the equivalent of a one-way street. It requires China to open its markets—with a fifth of the world’s population, potentially the biggest markets in the world—to both our products and services in unprecedented new ways,” said Clinton. In a speech in 2000, Clinton reiterated his hopes: ~ Wikipedia
How’d that work out? His argument was that all those people in China would be buying our products in “unprecedented new ways”. He of course failed to mention that that enormous population would never be able to afford our products. He also wrongly assumed China would actually play fair and allow OUR products. He knew these things but greed is a powerful thing.
Wasn’t ‘the Mrs.’ involved with the board of Walmart?
“Clinton should have been prosecuted for Chinagate.”
Colkitto answers that on another thread today.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/04/13/sunday-talks-economic-council-director-kevin-hassett-explains-china-and-global-tariff-distinctions/#comment-11720495
Both Clintons.
reminds me of Ross Perot saying “there is going to be a huge sucking sound with NAFTA!”
Lost one-third of our manufacturing base in 2000. Working class, lower middle class was hit the hardest. Decimated lives and livlihoods.
Clinton couln’t care less. Will any of the guilty ever be held accountable?
UniParty bird is the problem! (Democrats and RINOs)
Ain’t it weird how the Eastern Europeans threw off the yoke of communism, and the response of our leaders was “we must get tough with Russia”.
Meanwhile, China is every bit as totalitarian and is it ever was, yet for some reason our leaders feel an obligation to help prop it up and make it wealthier.
It’s as if they’re mad that the Iron Curtain fell, while China is the model that they want to turn the us into.
Bush 1 signed agenda 21 in the late 1980’s
In south America I believe
CHY-na had a 100-year plan to overtake the United States while w wer concerned about the next Quarter’s earning.
What they didn’t allow for was a President dedicated to all of the US, and who is whip-smart when it comes to economics, business and common sense.
What i worry about is that next health tyranny, we can be stopped 100% from ever getting our preferred medicine. Ivermectin may never be sold in the US again. Unfounded worry?
Originally, Ivermectin was found in Japan.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3043740/
“The recently announced “exemptions” are products that will be included in the sector specific tariffs”
Most likely products that people living from one direct deposit to another really need, but would be inordinately harmed by severe price increases.
With the goal is to level the playing field by hammering the nations that have been taking advantage of us without hammering the legal citizens here.
The pharmaceuticals are what worry me most. They cannot shift operations within a few months, that’s impossible. Americans already pay a high price for medication, unless Trump tells the insurance companies to stop jacking up the prices, it will only get worse with the tariff. Yeah I know some of you will say “Just eat healthy”. Cool, eating healthy doesn’t prevent certain genetic diseases that will arise no matter how good of an environment you grew up in. Thank God the medication I need is manufactured in the US, but I have no idea what components they get from other countries. Insurance helps with the price but for what it is, it’s stupidly expensive. No, I cannot get it compounded, it’s still under patent. I have no idea if they’ll ever allow a generic now due to this situation. Why allow one when you’re the sole manufacturer in the US? no one can compete.
I don’t worry about things, cause its wasted effort.
I am concerned about pharmaceuticals, however.
I am half way between a total rejection of alliopathic (modern crap healthcare) and “natural healing” so I am my own Dr., but I USE the “healthcare system” too, sometimes.
I have gotten my own medications that here in the US, due to FDA regulations require a Drs Rx, without a Rx. by ordering from international pharnacies in India and Thailand.
Its NOT illegal, exactly its more like exploiting a loophole.
Anyway, I have been doing this for 20 years, and seen how the Govt. has made it more challenging, primarily with how to pay for the product.
Btw, the prices are generally much less than prices for the same med, in the U.S. and often what you get at your local cvs came from the same factory in India.
The deminimus and tariffs MAY end up making it even more difficult, or expensive to use this option..
“The deminimus and tariffs MAY end up making it even more difficult, or expensive to use this option..”
A few years ago my brother ordered from @llD@yChemist.
His CC payment processed here in USA.
He provided his physician’s info, etc to satisfy legal requirements.
His order was shipped out of Singapore, labeled health aid so the JRB post office would not confiscate it.
I ordered after PDJT dropped the hammer on Chyna.
My order came out of the Czech Republic.
“I am concerned about pharmaceuticals, however.”
Going through my “Inbox” now, I just came across this FYI:
Tariffs May Constrain Drug Supply
Wellness Company Well Positioned to Fill the Gap
PETER A. MCCULLOUGH, MD, MPH
APR 12, 2025
By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH
“Rosemary Gibson in the book China RX emphasized that completely outsourcing prescription drugs to China, which has undercut the market for years, is a national security risk to America. Now we are seeing this possibility beginning to take form for prescription pharmaceuticals which could be constrained either by physical supply or cost to the American consumer.
With pre-prescribed medical emergency kits, especially the comprehensive field kit, the nation can be prepared for some short-term medication shortages. Key anti-infectives, bronchodilators, and other supplies can be in the home without the need for waiting in lines at the clinic or pharmacy. I mentioned the Field Kit on American Sunrise really as a home base product with the largest and most comprehensive line of medications that can be obtained by pre-prescription from The Wellness Company….”
https://open.substack.com/pub/petermcculloughmd/p/tariffs-may-constrain-drug-supply
Just like the “giant sucking sound” of NAFTA offshoring valuable employment for U.S. workers, us “common folks” warned about the situation concerning pharmaceutical products years ago.
Alas, our pleas fell on deaf ears as the corrupt uniparty sold us out to multinational corporate interests that only cared about profit and not people.
Another excerpt from the link:
“….With pre-prescribed medical emergency kits, especially the comprehensive field kit, the nation can be prepared for some short-term medication shortages….”
My primary physician would not write me any prescriptions for certain medications that have to be taken ASAP for maximum effectiveness. A prime example is Ivermectin for the Wuhan.
She works for a large medical conglomerate, so I know she is constrained from prescribing certain things.
Bingo
Speaking of semiconductors
-This is interesting (frightening)
“The Darkside of AI – Transhumanism and the War Against Humanity”
Personally, I would gladly pay MORE for a decent pair of shoes made in the USA with materials from the USA! I am so disgusted with the cheap junk from China, and it’s nearly impossible to find anything made in the USA.
Not long ago, I was searching for a kitchen item of stainless steel made in the USA. Finally, discovered a company in TX with the item I wanted, purchased it online and when it arrived the country of origin? China! I was so disappointed! It was not as the picture appeared and it certainly was not made in the USA.
It’s a storefront in the USA that purchases cheap crap from China and resells it. I’m over it
Italy makes quality footwear, and not just shoes.
There’s a company that makes sneakers and they are outstanding. They are very comfortable, EXTREMELY well made, and last forever. I put so many miles on my sneakers because of my long, daily walks with my dogs. The Chinese sneakers don’t even last two months before I wear through the soles. They are literally designed to wear out quickly.
My Italian sneakers last in excess of two years.
I despise the Chinese manufacturing model of making junk.
Hi, Welsh — Just curious what the name of your sneaker company is. I notice that the soles of shoes from even standard companies like Keds or Grasshopper are made with just a thin top layer of rubber over weird rubber compartments in the heels. So once you wear through that top layer, it starts exposing those little compartments, and water or pieces of gravel can get in.
Not sure how else to describe it, but it makes me long for when I had shoes and sneakers with solid rubber or leather soles. They lasted a long time, and you could take them to a shoe repair shop to get even more wear out of them. Thanks in advance for any info!
If you want quality stainless steel; check out “Made In”. It’s made in Italy.
I have purchased several pieces to replace my 45 year old cookware.
I’m very particular with my cookware and where it comes from.
At my age, my daughter can have the quality pieces I buy now, when I move along to a better place.
Take care.
Interesting; Lutnick references that the items in the exemption are going to be listed in an upcoming tariff group which will be posted in the Federal Register this coming week.
This makes me think that those items are subject to a pre-existing required comment period where suppliers and/or purchasers input is required specific to those items given previous laws, rules or regulations.
That alone would explain the change.
Not unlike any regulation or rule promulgated by agencies such as Interior or Health – there are some components of our government that do require public comment periods, usually not less than a 30-day period before a final ruling is set.
I think that’s what has happened and so a smooth side-step while still proceeding forward.
Max, I knew someone who was in the first plane to hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I am nauseated by your assumption that anyone who missed death that day was part of some conspiracy network tied to their religion.
Howard Lutnick was taking his child, Kyle, to his first day of kindergarten. There are countless examples of people who survived by random luck, fluke or fate:
https://www.deseret.com/2001/11/22/19617950/twists-of-fate-saved-lives-of-many-on-9-11/
His own brother died in that murder by plane along with over 600 of his employees. For you to suggest he was “lucky” is disgusting.
That is a reprehensible statement… do you know what he did for the families of those that died?
Disgusting comment.
Don’t forget that ABC is owned by Disney.
“According to the explanation…”
Uh huh.
Explain this….
In the last 72 hrs:
1. Elon Musk has revised DOGE “savings” from $1 TRILLION in 2026 to a mere and paltry $150 billion (this is itself down from a promised $2 TRILLION IN 2026).
2. Elon Musk has gotten the presidential green light to imbed Palantir’s AI into the IRS.
3. According to Sundance (who I have no good reason to NOT believe)…QUOTE: .”The exemption announced April 11th is… a major appeasement move to both the Communist Party of China (Beijing) and corporate tech titans like Apple. There is no other honest framework to view this. The administration will try to spin this, but it is a really bad look.”
God help us, it’s looking a lot like Trump got played for a sucker and a fool.
And this leaves out the disastrous appointments of Blondi, Pastel, Bonghead, and Gabsalot.
And don’t forget Lutnick. First global carbon tax is about to go into affect for the IMO. So international shipping is about to get more expensive. And guess who happens to be Commerce Chief here in the States…yup, Mr. Carbon Trading Carbon Tax guy himself.
They’re missing the mark with AI. Fractal Technology is the way to go and it can be done on a hand held device.
Here I thought Trump wanted to get rid of the IRS. Guess not.
Never heard someone ask the same question so many times. I understood the first time.
Your comment sucks. As “ Teagan” points out, his own brother died. Do you really think he would allow his own brother to die In that inferno?
Every time this man talks he causes confusion and very often get things wrong that later have to be clarified by President Trump. AFTER he has already caused anxiety throughout the financial and business community and MSM gives President Trump a metaphysical black eye.
Very dangerous!
We never should have allowed drug manufacturing to go completely offshore, never mind to a communist country!
President Trump is completely blameless for that.
Pain now or much more pain later.
Ya right.😳🤨🧐
Sectors = Lets form a committee and investigate or lets just all wait and see how the cookie crumbles.
Whatever the dufus name is interviewing Mr. Lutnick, what a smartass thing to say. “What, are we going to become a nation of cobblers?”
I think I would have answered, “Yes, and butchers and bakers and candlestick makers.”
You just know the 20-something yr old in their earpiece was going, “I like cobbler, my mom makes peach. Is everyone wanting to be a baker?”
Well, here we go . . .
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/china-halts-rare-earth-exports-u-s-threatening/
This has been a known vulnerability for at least a decade.
The other hammer waiting to fall? Pharmaceuticals. Not just antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
Psychotropic meds. If you have ever been involved in a situation where someone has gone cold turkey off those meds – that 25 Percent of Americas are taking, – you know that a sudden halt to the import of psychotropics could create vast levels of social chaos, very quickly.
Noted: It is the refining that is the bottleneck.
https://truthsocial.com/@UnitedWeStand41/posts/114332571939556990
I usually enjoy your comments, and I respect your knowledge and opinions immensely, but we don’t need to be afraid of China’s threats. I’m one of those psychotropic drug takers (Zoloft/sertraline) and I’ve quit cold turkey before. I wasn’t as even keeled when I did, but it was far from impossible to beat the withdrawals, and I had no visions of offing masses of people or the like. We lived without designer prescriptions and rare earth minerals before, and we can again. We must rid ourselves of the Chyna scourge at all costs, just as we must rid ourselves of the Wall Street prosperity trumps Main Street prosperity canard.
I’m glad you were able to go cold turkey like that, but when I did I would have offed myself if I didn’t have help. I can’t imagine what some of worst cases would be like. Schizophrenics will be unable to function at all.
Just an FYI… I struggled with chronic depression for years, and when my doctor prescribed Zoloft, it was a godsend. Eventually, I asked to transition to St. John’s Wort, which is a natural OTC supplement, and it did take the edge off, but wasn’t quite strong enough at the time. I finally discovered neurofeedback treatments, and thank God, they completely healed me of the depression. It was like, “Wow – so THAT’s how long a bad day is supposed to last…”
My therapist was a kind Christian man who considered it a tool in his arsenal to help people, and he and a colleague even developed an effective neuro program specifically for veterans with PTSD. (He was an Army chaplain with a heart for vets, and they tried to give it for free to the military, but they wouldn’t take it. So he and a network of neuro therapists began offering it for free to vets, and many found it helpful when nothing else worked.) He has also taken it to the Congo, to help rape and trauma victims from their war, and has trained others there to provide treatment.
It’s a non-invasive treatment that monitors your brainwaves, and trains your brain to burn new pathways to deal with stress. It’s like muscle memory for the brain, and after 4-5 months, I was depression-free, and not on any meds. I do take a St John’s Wort capsule just as a safety net, but I am doing great, and only wish I’d found neuro years ago. Anyway, just passing it along it case it’s helpful…
Any msm interview I’ve seen tries to use article 1 section 8 of the constitution as a “gotcha” to infer that the executive branch DOESN’T have the power to impose tariffs. All it says is that congress does. This manipulation needs to be called out every time they try to do it.
Is Greenland making some sense now?
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-mineral-resources-chairman-anthony-110000151.html
Full disclosure: TRMC has been languishing in my portfolio for a coon’s age. I researched rare earth mineral production in the US way back in the day. It was a largely futile quest, except this one company, a penny stock.
But, it was pretty easy to see this issue was going to pull into the station at some point.
If I could see it, where the hell was our Congress ?
Oh . . . .
http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zmgxss/201202/t20120220_4367669.htm
yeah
If President Trump gets his tax policies implemented at the first possible moment, then whatever tariff-induced price increases occur will be way more than offset by increases in disposable income (individuals) and net income (businesses).
Howard Lutnick and many others in the Cabinet are so wonderful, brilliant and dare I say, lovable?
They really put these ignorant talking heads to shame.
Why are new wind turbines getting greenlighted? https://www.westernjournal.com/time-burgum-stop-defying-president-trumps-demand/?utm_source=truthsocial&utm_medium=westernjournal&utm_content=2025-04-13?utm_source=truthsocial
Placing tarriffs on Pharma is not a good thing for our citizens. It may harm many. Pharma manufacturing cannot simply be started in the US fast. Also note many of the compunds used in the drugs made including many made in India originate in China. Is our government trying to harm it’s citizens? Also note depending on amount and duration of tarriffs expect to possibly see major insuance rate increases next year to make up for losses due to tarriffs.
We are at war. It is a world war and it has begun. It is a new kind of warfare. Economic instead of bombs and weapons. Choose your side. USA or China. Fight to win. USA holds the most cards and I like them better because their human rights are far superior to China. Americans are very good at creating wealth. China cheats and over controls. China will fall before the USA will. It might create some hard times but It will be much worse for China. A trade reset is needed.
I despise the media. They do not seek facts or clarity; they always try to steer a story to their narrative and goals. They are still the mouthpiece of the deep state and all of its tentacles. Caligula wished that the Roman people had but one neck that he might cut it off, and as I listen to these ”journalists”,I wish the same thing concerning them.