BBC - US President Donald Trump's administration has exempted smartphones and computers from reciprocal tariffs, including the 125% levies imposed on Chinese imports.
US Customs and Border Patrol published a notice late on Friday explaining the goods would be excluded from Trump's 10% global tariff on most countries and the much larger Chinese import tax.
The move comes after concerns from US tech companies that the price of gadgets could skyrocket, as many of them are made in China.
The exemptions also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells and memory cards.
It was not clear whether technology imports from China would still be hit by a 20% tariff that was not part of the reciprocal tariffs announced on 2 April. The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
Some estimates suggested iPhone prices and other electronic goods in the US would have gone up three times if the costs of the tariffs had been passed on to consumers.
The US is a major market for iPhones, while Apple accounted for more than half of its smartphones sales last year, according to Counterpoint Research.
It says as much as 80% of Apple's iPhones intended for US sale are made in China, with the remaining 20% made in India.
Along with fellow smartphone giants such as Samsung, Apple has been trying to diversify its supply chains to avoid over-reliance on China in recent years.
India and Vietnam emerged as frontrunners for additional manufacturing hubs.
As tariffs took effect, Apple reportedly looked to speed up and increase its production of India-produced devices in recent days.
Trump had planned a host of steep tariffs on countries around the world set to go into effect this week.
But on Wednesday, he quickly reversed course, announcing that he would implement a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs - except China - whose tariffs he raised to 145%. Trump said the Chinese tariff increase was because of the country's readiness to retaliate with its own 84% levy on US goods.
In a dramatic change of policy, Trump said all countries that had not retaliated against US tariffs would receive a reprieve – and only face a blanket US tariff of 10% – until July.
The White House then said the move was a negotiating tactic to extract more favourable trade terms from other countries.
Trump has said his import taxes will address unfairness in the global trading system, as well as bring jobs and factories back to American shores.
Comments - Trump exempts smartphones and computers from new tariffs
-
Mohan Saturday, 12 April 2025 09:56 PM
The income from Trump's tariffs would ultimately come from the US consumers and not from the foreign exporters. The tariffs would increase the cost of living of the American people.
0 19
M Fernando Saturday, 12 April 2025 11:12 PM
So he blinked again. Clearly his billionaire friends are suffering. This proves these tariffs have no strategy or focus. Good lesson For those who worship the US. 6 time bankrupt "very successful" businessman in the white house who wrote Art of the Deal seems to be as unfocused as Biden was !!
2 19
BanduXX Sunday, 13 April 2025 12:05 AM
Canada has retaliated by placing a road tax toll on all vehicles from US going through Canada territory to Alaska which has no other road route. This will cost the Alaskans dearly. Montreal is placing an export tax on electricity export to US and bordering US states will be hit.China will put an export tax on all the goods US has exempted from the tariff so that these goods will still be expensive to US consumers.
2 13
Herman Perera Sunday, 13 April 2025 04:51 AM
Its a Circus ruled by CLOWNS.
2 16
Ram P Sunday, 13 April 2025 06:34 AM
The way things are happening I wonder if Trump will eat the humble pie at the end. Some of Trump decisions are good but he got caught for speeding for implementing all in a rush. Slow and Steadt Wins the Race should have been his Motto
7 7
Reez Sunday, 13 April 2025 07:29 AM
Gazette Reversed like in Sri Lanka????
3 9
Seeya Sunday, 13 April 2025 07:45 AM
He is feeling the pinch. Why only smartphones and computers? Because China is now the leader. Can say I saw that coming.
1 12
Insider Sunday, 13 April 2025 10:01 AM
He is already feeling the heat. His tariff is not acceptable to any known economic theory or practice. Very soon the smirk he shows will vanish from his face.
2 24
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name -ReplyComment
