After Announcement of Mutual Tariff Exemptions the Previous Day
Additional Tariffs Possible on Pharmaceuticals, Semiconductors on the 14th
Nuclear Negotiations with Iran "Not Important Until It Actually Happens"
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would "give an answer on Monday (the 14th)" regarding tariffs on semiconductor items.
On the 12th (local time), President Trump briefly met with reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Palm Beach to Miami, Florida, and said, "We will be very specific," according to the White House press pool.
Earlier, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the "Mutual Exclusion of Tariffs on Certain Goods," listing smartphones, laptop computers, hard disk drives, computer processors, memory chips, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment as items excluded from mutual tariffs.
However, it was suggested that semiconductors might be subject to a separate tariff imposition policy. Caroline Levitt, White House spokesperson, stated in a released statement that "President Trump indicated that tariffs would be applied fairly and effectively, and that automobiles, steel, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors would be included in specific (different) tariffs," adding, "President Trump will soon announce the results of the Section 232 investigation on semiconductors."
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act grants the U.S. president the authority to take urgent measures if imported foreign products threaten U.S. national security. President Trump has used this law to impose 25% tariffs on steel and automobiles.
Regarding the high-level nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran held in Oman that day, President Trump said, "I think it will go well," but added, "Nothing matters until it actually happens. So I don't like to talk about it."
He also commented on the Ukraine ceasefire negotiations, saying, "We will see what happens, but I think it will go well," and added, "You will know soon. At some point, there comes a time when you have to act, not just talk."
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