The corruption is the plan. The tariffs are the boot on everyone's neck. Carve outs based on friend, foe, and bribes adjust the pressure. This will be on-going and capricious.
Wasn’t Howard Lutnick on TV recently explicitly saying they wanted to bring iPhone assembly here? How is one to understand the union of these two perspectives?
Howard Lutnick got pulled from the TV sidelines over stuff like this apparently. Bessent is running the show now which is probably why they’re actually responding to the bond market punching them in the face this week
He definitely blinked. Also illegal immigrants who work in hotels and on farms won’t be deported. Weird.
Here's the set of categories exempted from the tariffs (via perplexity) Original source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/... Backup: https://archive.is/el9Mz
via Perplexity:
8471: Automatic data-processing machines and units thereof, including computers, laptops, disc drives, and other data processing equipment.
8473.30: Parts and accessories for automatic data-processing machines, such as components used in computers.
8486: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits.
8517.13.00: Mobile phones (cellular telephones) or other wireless network devices.
8517.62.00: Communication apparatus capable of connecting to a network, such as routers and modems.
8523.51.00: Solid-state storage devices (e.g., flash drives) used for recording data.
8524: Recorded media, such as DVDs, CDs, and other optical discs.
8528.52.00: Flat-panel displays capable of video playback, including monitors and televisions.
8541.10.00: Diodes, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
8541.21.00: Transistors with a dissipation rate of less than 1 watt.
8541.29.00: Other transistors not specified elsewhere.
8541.30.00: Thyristors, diacs, and triacs used in electronics.
8541.49.10 to 8541.49.95: Semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits (ICs) categorized by specific types or functions.
8541.51.00: Semiconductor devices designed for photovoltaic applications (solar cells).
8541.59.00: Other semiconductor devices not elsewhere classified.
8541.90.00: Parts of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits.
8542: Electronic integrated circuits, including microprocessors and memory chips.
Perhaps the task of rewriting history needs to start right away.
The corruption is the plan. The tariffs are the boot on everyone's neck. Carve outs based on friend, foe, and bribes adjust the pressure. This will be on-going and capricious.
Wasn’t Howard Lutnick on TV recently explicitly saying they wanted to bring iPhone assembly here? How is one to understand the union of these two perspectives?
https://fortune.com/2025/04/07/howard-lutnick-iphones-americ...
Howard Lutnick got pulled from the TV sidelines over stuff like this apparently. Bessent is running the show now which is probably why they’re actually responding to the bond market punching them in the face this week
> How is one to understand the union of these two perspectives?
Only one perspective actually matters right now, and it's notoriously mercurial.
Administration officials often have about as much knowledge of what's to come as we do.