Commerce Secretary Clarifies: Returning Jobs to America Will Include High-Paying Technician Roles, Not Just Robots

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently found himself in hot water over comments suggesting that the manufacturing jobs returning to the United States would largely be done by robots. In a CNBC interview on Tuesday, Lutnick attempted to clarify his stance, emphasizing that while high-tech plants like the TSMC facility would be highly automated, they would still create significant job opportunities for human workers. Lutnick stated that the new factories, including the one being built by TSMC, would employ around 3,000 people per plant. These jobs, he argued, would be specialized roles such as technicians who maintain and repair the automated machinery, as well as those managing the air conditioning systems and other critical infrastructure. According to Lutnick, the salaries for these positions would range from $70,000 to $90,000 annually, with some roles paying up to $150,000 to $200,000. He described these as "high-value, high-performance jobs" that represent the future of American manufacturing. Lutnick further defended President Trump's tariffs, claiming that they would incentivize companies to build these factories in the U.S. and train workers for more advanced, futuristic roles rather than the menial tasks of the past. He criticized online memes and AI-generated videos showing Americans engaged in low-skilled labor as misleading, insisting that the reality would be much different. Lutnick reiterated his point from a February interview, where he suggested that iPhones could be manufactured in the U.S. using robotics, questioning why they must be made in Taiwan and China. In the recent interview, he shared a conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, indicating that Cook wants to bring iPhone production to the U.S. but requires robotic arms that can scale and operate with high precision. Lutnick claimed that once this technology becomes available, Apple will shift production back to America. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for this transition. Despite Lutnick's efforts to clarify his position, his statements have drawn criticism for implying a permanent underclass of workers. Critics argue that this vision contradicts the traditional American Dream, where parents work hard to ensure their children achieve greater wealth and social mobility. Instead, Lutnick's model suggests a static workforce focused on maintaining advanced manufacturing technology. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 300 points following Lutnick's CNBC appearance, possibly due to comments he made about a potential trade deal. While he claimed a deal had been struck and was just awaiting announcement, details remain unclear. Some sources suggested it might be with India, but this has not been confirmed. Industry Insights and Company Profiles Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary, is known for his involvement in financial markets and economic policy. His current position under the Trump administration has seen him at the forefront of discussions on trade and manufacturing. TSMC, the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, is one of the world's leading chip makers, and its decision to build a plant in Arizona is a significant indicator of the shift towards higher-tech manufacturing in the U.S. Industry insiders and economists have mixed reactions to Lutnick's comments. Some agree that automation is inevitable and that focusing on high-skilled jobs can benefit the economy, while others caution against the creation of a technological divide where only a select few can access these lucrative positions. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between technological progress and the need for broad-based employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector.