Trump exempts smartphones and computers from new tariffs

In a significant development regarding international trade, President Donald Trump has announced that smartphones, computers, and several other electronic devices will be exempt from new tariffs. These tariffs, which are additional taxes imposed on goods imported from other countries, had previously included a staggering 125% tax on products coming from China. The announcement was made by US Customs and Border Patrol, which stated that these electronic devices would not be subject to Trump's 10% global tariff that affects many countries, nor the larger import tax on Chinese goods. This decision marks a notable shift in Trump's tariff policy towards China, with one trade analyst describing it as a 'game-changer scenario. ' On Saturday, while traveling to Miami, Trump informed reporters that he would provide more details about these exemptions early next week, stating, 'We'll be very specific. ' He emphasized that the country is generating significant revenue from these tariffs, which has raised concerns among US technology companies about the potential for skyrocketing prices on gadgets, many of which are manufactured in China. The exemptions, which are retroactive to April 5, also cover other electronic devices and components, such as semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards. Dan Ives, the global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, expressed that this is a 'dream scenario for tech investors,' highlighting the importance of excluding smartphones and chips from the tariffs. Major tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft can now breathe a sigh of relief, as they heavily rely on these products for their operations. The White House indicated that these exemptions were implemented to provide companies with additional time to relocate their production to the United States. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, 'President Trump has made it clear that America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones, and laptops. ' She added that, under the president's direction, these companies are working diligently to bring their manufacturing back to the US as soon as possible. Trump, who is currently spending the weekend at his Florida residence, expressed his comfort with the high tariffs on China, stating, 'And I think something positive is going to come out of that,' while also mentioning his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is important to note that these electronic goods are still subject to a 20% tariff related to fentanyl, as noted by White House Deputy Chief of Staff on Policy Stephen Miller. Some estimates suggested that the prices of iPhones in the US could have tripled if the costs were passed on to consumers. The US is a significant market for iPhones, with Apple accounting for more than half of its smartphone sales last year, according to Counterpoint Research. The research indicates that approximately 80% of Apple's iPhones intended for sale in the US are manufactured in China, while the remaining 20% are produced in India. In recent years, Apple, like its competitor Samsung, has been working to diversify its supply chains to reduce over-reliance on China. India and Vietnam have emerged as potential new manufacturing hubs. As the tariffs were set to take effect, Apple reportedly accelerated its efforts to increase production of devices made in India. Trump had initially planned to implement a series of steep tariffs on various countries around the world this week. However, on Wednesday, he announced a 90-day pause for countries affected by the higher US tariffs, with the exception of China, whose tariffs were raised to 145%. Trump explained that the increase for China was due to the country's readiness to retaliate with its own 84% tax on US goods. In a dramatic shift in policy, Trump stated that all countries that had not retaliated against US tariffs would receive a reprieve and would only face a blanket tariff of 10% until July. The White House later clarified that this move was a negotiating tactic aimed at securing more favorable trade terms from other countries. Trump has consistently argued that his import taxes will address unfairness in the global trading system and help bring jobs and factories back to the United States.