Trump clarifies there's no full "tariff exception" on electronics from China

U.S. President Donald Trump has settled the debate over tariffs on select electronics, saying exemption of tariffs on those items are temporary and that separate tariffs on goods including smartphones will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Lee Seung-jae starts us off.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his key trade officials on Sunday made it clear that his administration's newly announced exemptions for reciprocal tariffs on electronic products would be partially or completely reversed in the coming weeks.

After a technical guidance issued late Friday, Washington issued an exemption on select electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, personal computers, servers, and semiconductor equipment.

Not only does this ease the burden on Samsung Electronics and Apple, it also means a possible exemption from some of the levies on Chinese imports.

However,.. Trump took to his social media page on Sunday to clarify, saying tariffs would still be imposed on Chinese goods, specifically the existing 20 percent fentanyl tariffs.

Trump also stressed that the U.S. administration is taking a look at semiconductors and the "WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN" in upcoming National Security Tariff investigations.

According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while there may be some tariff exemptions on select electronics now, a separate tariff on semiconductors is coming.

"So what he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two. So these are coming soon."

Speaking to CNN on Sunday, White House National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said that items subject to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act have always been excluded from the reciprocal tariffs, and a separate investigation will be conducted to determine the necessary measures to protect the United States.

He added that the tariff investigation into semiconductors has to do with broader concerns of U.S. dependence on Chinese-made imports.

Hassett said that there is a "very uncomfortable amount of Chinese input" in U.S. weapons systems, stressing the importance of Section 232 of the Act.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.