Commerce Secretary Lutnick Confirms: Trump’s Tariffs “Are Coming”—No Postponement, No Loopholes, and They’ll Last for Weeks
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made it clear on CBS’s Face the Nation that the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariffs are “definitely” staying in place for weeks—and that’s just the start. With global markets still reeling from last week’s $5 trillion S&P 500 wipeout and rising fears of recession, Lutnick doubled down on Trump’s economic strategy: protect U.S. production, reindustrialize the country, and end what he called the “ripoff” of America.
“The tariffs are coming. He announced it—and he wasn’t kidding.” – Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary
Tariffs as a National Security Strategy
In a fiery and unapologetic interview, Lutnick laid out the Trump doctrine in stark terms: the U.S. is no longer willing to let other countries profit from trade deficits that, he said, are hollowing out the American industrial base.
“We don’t make medicine in this country anymore. We don’t make ships. We don’t have enough steel or aluminum to fight a battle. All our semiconductors are made overseas.”
“Imagine if we had a war and we can’t build a ship, can’t fly a plane. That’s what the President is fixing—for our children and grandchildren.”
He framed the entire trade overhaul as a response to America’s $1.2 trillion trade deficit and the fact that other nations now own $18 trillion worth of U.S. assets.
Markets Shaken, Global Reaction Builds
Lutnick dismissed concerns about the panic in global markets, arguing that this is a “reset” of America’s economic power.
“The idea that all countries can run trade surpluses with America—that’s over. The ripoff is over.”
Asked whether the 10% baseline tariff is permanent, Lutnick was vague but resolute, calling it part of a long-term national security fix. He also confirmed the 11–50% reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners will take effect April 9 as scheduled.
Global Pushback Mounts, Negotiations Start Quietly
While Lutnick said “50 countries have been calling the White House,” he insisted these are not negotiations—but acknowledgments that “they know they’ve been ripping us off.”
One reason for the tariff list’s broad scope—including obscure places like the Heard and McDonald Islands?
“If you leave any country off, others will use it to arbitrage America. We’re closing all the loopholes.”
Industrial Policy, Automation & The Future of Work
Lutnick said the goal is reindustrialization through trillions of dollars in factory investments. Many of these new facilities will be automated, but he emphasized the role of American workers:
“This is going to be the greatest resurgence of tradecraft in America. Our high school-educated Americans are going to be working on these high-tech factories.”
Pressed on whether jobs would be replaced by robots, Lutnick doubled down:
“Yes, it will be automated. But who fixes the robots? HVAC specialists, electricians, mechanics. These are great American jobs.”
No Postponement, No Bailouts (For Now)
Asked directly whether the administration was considering any bailouts like those used during Trump’s first term for impacted farmers, Lutnick said he’s not aware of such plans. The focus, he stressed, is on building domestic capacity and pushing firms to relocate production to the U.S.
“We are the consumer of the world. We have the leverage. And companies know it. That’s why they’re investing here.”
Final Word:
“This is Donald Trump’s agenda. He’s been talking about this his whole life. And this is the moment the United States of America takes hold of itself.”
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
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