Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says President Donald Trump has no plans to back down from the aggressive tariffs he announced on April 2, even as the move rattles global markets and trading partners threaten retaliation.
“No chance” Trump backs off tariffs
In an interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown, Lutnick didn’t hesitate: “I don’t think there’s any chance President Trump is going to back off.”
The administration views the tariffs as part of a long-overdue shift in global trade, designed to protect American workers and rebuild U.S. manufacturing.
“Let Donald Trump run the global economy. He knows what he’s doing,” Lutnick said.
Trump’s plan includes $5 trillion in domestic commitments to build factories in the U.S. Lutnick argued this push will spark economic growth by boosting domestic production and creating high-tech, good-paying jobs.
“You’re going to see the greatest economy in the world. The Renaissance will be the greatest factories in the world,” he said.
“All you need is a high school education and training and they’re going to have great jobs.”
Critics say prices will rise
Still, the move comes with risks. Economists warn that tariffs could result in higher prices for consumers, especially at the grocery store.
Brown pointed out that Trump was elected to lower costs—not raise them.
Lutnick pushed back, saying energy prices are already down, mortgage costs are dropping, and other economic measures are improving.
“These are all coming,” he said. He also claimed that opening more markets to U.S. farmers and ranchers would help lower food prices.
“Our farmers will thrive and the price of groceries will come down,” he said.
No more exemptions, no more waiting
Lutnick stressed that, unlike past trade efforts, this time will be different. “Apple last time got an exemption and they didn’t build. This time, there are no exemptions. They’re going to build in America.”
He framed the tariffs as a reset, not a negotiation. “No talking.
Doing,” he said. “These countries have abused us and exploited us. They need to change their ways.”
When asked if Trump might eventually ease up, Lutnick replied, “That’s not back off. That is let the dealmaker make his deals when and only if these countries can change everything about themselves.”
On currency and global reaction
Lutnick denied that weakening the U.S. dollar is part of the strategy, but acknowledged it may happen as countries stop manipulating their currencies.
“We don’t have a plan about the dollar. We have a plan about American workers.”
Global markets have reacted sharply to the tariffs, and allies like the European Union and China have vowed to respond. But Lutnick says the administration isn’t worried.
“You can’t really fight with the United States. We are the customer of the world.”
“America’s got to stop being exploited,” he added. “Thank God we’ve got Donald Trump in the White House.”
IMAGE CREDIT: “President Donald Trump and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick”, via Flickr, The White House. Licensed under U.S. Government Work. Image adjusted for layout.