Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce in a future Trump-aligned policy team, delivered a sharp defense of Donald Trump’s tariff strategy this week, telling critics that “Trump’s in the driver’s seat” when it comes to trade negotiations and economic leverage.
Speaking at an economic policy forum, Lutnick emphasized that tariffs are a powerful tool — not a liability — in Trump’s vision for protecting American industry and reshaping global trade relationships. “People who say tariffs don’t work aren’t paying attention,” Lutnick said. “Look at the negotiating power they give us. The world is watching, and Trump is leading.”
Lutnick, also the CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has long supported Trump’s approach to economic nationalism and reinforced the former president’s message that tariffs are key to confronting China and other major trading partners accused of unfair practices.
Critics, including many economists and business leaders, argue that tariffs function as a hidden tax on American consumers and can spark retaliatory measures that hurt global supply chains. But Lutnick dismissed those concerns as short-sighted. “This isn’t about short-term discomfort,” he said. “It’s about long-term independence, strength, and leverage.”
Trump’s past tariffs on Chinese goods were among the most controversial aspects of his economic policy, sparking trade wars that disrupted markets but also forced high-level negotiations. With Trump eyeing a return to the White House in 2024, his team is laying the groundwork for a more aggressive trade agenda that could include broader tariff structures.
“Trump doesn’t follow the globalist playbook,” Lutnick said. “He rewrites it — and wins.”
The remarks were met with mixed reactions from business groups, with some praising the bold rhetoric while others warned of renewed economic uncertainty if tariffs return in full force.
Further details on Trump’s updated trade strategy are expected in the coming months.
