Washington (AP) As president-elect Donald Trump’s nomination for commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, a bitcoin enthusiast and the chairman of brokerage and financial bank Cantor Fitzgerald, would play a crucial role in implementing Trump’s promises to increase and enforce tariffs.
Lutnick and Linda McMahon, the veteran wrestling executive who oversaw Trump’s Small Business Administration, are co-chairs of Trump’s transition team. Both are responsible for proposing people for important positions in the incoming government.
The nomination would place Lutnick in charge of a large Cabinet department that releases economic statistics, monitors the weather, imposes trade restrictions, and finances new computer chip manufacturing. Additionally, relationships with CEOs and the larger business community are essential for this role.
In September, Lutnick, who supports the imposition of broad tariffs, told CNBC that tariffs are a fantastic instrument that the president may employ to safeguard American workers. During his campaign, Trump suggested imposing a 60% tax on Chinese goods and a 20% tariff on all other imports into the US.
Tariffs are typically viewed by mainstream economists as an ineffective means of government revenue raising and prosperity promotion.
Lutnick was under consideration for the position of Treasury Secretary, which has been the focus of intense competition among Trump supporters. Trump keeps a close eye on the stock market, which is highly observed by financial circles, and a disruptive choice might have immediate negative effects on the treasury position.
The announcement also follows calls by entrepreneur Elon Musk and other Trump supporters for Trump to fire Scott Bessent, the previous front-runner for Treasury Secretary, and replace him with Lutnick. In his article, Musk said that although @howardlutnick will genuinely implement change, Bessent is a business-as-usual decision.
The Associated Press, 2024. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. It is prohibited to publish, broadcast, rewrite, or redistribute this content without authorization.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!