{"id":2442871,"date":"2025-06-04T14:58:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T18:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kennedy-questions-lutnick-over-trade-reciprocity-strategy\/"},"modified":"2025-06-04T15:00:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:00:20","slug":"kennedy-questions-lutnick-over-trade-reciprocity-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kennedy-questions-lutnick-over-trade-reciprocity-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Kennedy questions Lutnick over trade reciprocity strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkennedy-questions-lutnick-over-trade-reciprocity-strategy%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2442871&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During a Senate hearing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced tough questions from lawmakers on both sides regarding the Trump governance&#8217;s trade strategies, especially its opposition to zero-tariff agreements.Senator John Kennedy scrutinized Lutnick about the administration&#8217;s refusal to consider tariff-free deals, pointing to Vietnam as a potential case where steep tariffs could arise if an agreement is not reached by July.Kennedy emphasized that reciprocity, where both countries lower tariffs, is essential for trade negotiations. However, Lutnick dismissed the idea of a no-tariff agreement, asserting that Vietnam acts as a gateway for Chinese goods circumventing U.S. tariffs. Kennedy also raised concerns about the constitutional authority over tariffs, referencing the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-court-reverses-block-on-biden-vaccine-mandate-for-private-employers\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Court Reverses Block On Biden Vaccine Mandate For Private Employers\">major questions doctrine<\/a>,&#8221; which <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >demands significant policy decisions<\/a> like tariff imposition to come from congress rather than the executive branch. Lutnick admitted to being unfamiliar with this legal doctrine.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Kennedy questions Lutnick over trade reciprocity strategy<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2137843\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>At a tense Senate hearing on Wednesday, Commerce Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/howard-lutnick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Howard Lutnick<\/a> came under fire from both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Republican<\/a> and Democratic lawmakers frustrated with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> escalating trade tactics.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) confronted Lutnick over the administration&rsquo;s reluctance to accept zero-tariff agreements, using Vietnam as an example. Vietnam is one of more than 60 countries that could soon face steep tariff hikes unless it strikes a deal with the U.S. before July. Kennedy pressed Lutnick on whether the administration would agree to a reciprocal, tariff-free arrangement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3430855\/mike-lee-american-bar-association-more-partisan-federalist-society\/\">Mike Lee pans American Bar Association as bigger advocacy group than Federalist Society<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3431053\/house-investigation-immigration-history-suspect-boulder-terrorist-attack\/\">House launches inquiry into immigration history of Boulder terrorism suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3431266\/joe-concha-michael-moore-pledge-of-allegiance\/\">Joe Concha mocks Michael Moore&#8217;s new pledge as &#8216;desperate plea for attention&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Lutnick flatly rejected the idea. &ldquo;Absolutely not. That would be the silliest thing we could do,&rdquo; he said, asserting that Vietnam serves as a conduit for Chinese goods trying to bypass U.S. tariffs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8203;&#8203;&ldquo;Why are you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-says-mike-pence-should-endorse-him-after-he-bowed-out-of-2024-race\/\" title=\"Trump urges Pence to endorse him following his withdrawal from the 2024 race.\">negotiating trade deals<\/a> then?&rdquo; Kennedy <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/atrupar\/status\/1930282145047581145\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">asked<\/a>. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re trying to get other countries to lower their trade, their tariffs and trade barriers in return for us lowering ours. That&rsquo;s called reciprocity.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; Lutnick said in response.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Are you or are you not seeking reciprocity in these deals?&rdquo; Kennedy asked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are absolutely seeking reciprocity with respect to things that can be reciprocal,&rdquo; Lutnick said before being cut off by Kennedy.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3431087\/trump-tariffs-net-2-8-trillion-over-next-decade-cbo-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">TRUMP TARIFFS WOULD NET $2.8 TRILLION OVER NEXT DECADE, CBO SAYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You just said if a country came to you and offered the ultimate reciprocity, no tariff, no trade barriers, in return for doing us the same, you would reject that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Louisiana Senator also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-indictments-ex-president-faces-91-felonies-punishable-by-700-years-in-jail\/\" title=\"Donald Trump indicted with 91 felonies, could face 700 years in prison.\">raised constitutional concerns<\/a>, invoking the &ldquo;major questions doctrine,&rdquo; which asserts that significant policy decisions &mdash; such as the imposition of tariffs &mdash; should be made by Congress, not the executive branch. The doctrine has become a legal cornerstone in ongoing challenges to the administration&rsquo;s trade authority. In response, Lutnick said he was unfamiliar with the &ldquo;major questions doctrine.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2137843\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2137843\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kennedy challenges Lutnick on trade reciprocity at Senate hearing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2442872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lutnick-confirmed-senate.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50796,50626,17277,4158,7221],"class_list":["post-2442871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-kennedy-2","tag-lutnick","tag-reciprocity","tag-strategy","tag-trade"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lutnick-confirmed-senate.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2442871"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2442875,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442871\/revisions\/2442875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2442872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2442871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2442871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2442871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}