"Let them compete, but stop using our tools to compete with us," Howard Lutnick said of rivalry with Beijing.
by Channels TV
Donald Trump’s commerce secretary nominee told his US Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday he favours “across-the-board” tariffs targeting countries rather than products, while signaling a hawkish China stance.
“We can use tariffs to create reciprocity, fairness and respect,” said Howard Lutnick, a close Trump ally and billionaire CEO of Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald.
Lutnick’s appearance comes as Trump threatens sweeping duties on imports from allies and adversaries alike — with levies on major trading partners Canada and Mexico potentially to be unveiled this weekend.
On Wednesday, Lutnick said the president’s February 1 deadline for 25 percent tariffs were aimed at getting both neighbors to do more on illegal migration and particularly the flow of deadly fentanyl.
Lutnick stressed that duties on China — and “adversaries” — should be higher than those on other countries.
Lutnick vowed to work to understand the impact of retaliatory tariffs on US agriculture and manufacturing.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House after returning from a weekend trip on January 27, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Lutnick also signaled he would take a firm stance on export controls involving China, after the recent emergence of the DeepSeek chatbot and its lower cost breakthrough threatened US-based artificial intelligence leaders.
“Let them compete, but stop using our tools to compete with us,” he said of rivalry with Beijing. “I’m going to be very strong on that.”
If confirmed, Lutnick will helm a department overseeing export controls to competitors, aimed at ensuring the United States’ lead in sensitive technology with military uses.
“Our export controls, not backed by tariffs, are like a whack-a-mole model,” he told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“I do not believe that DeepSeek was done all above board,” he added, pledging rigorous enforcement of restrictions to help the United States stay ahead.
