Trump Exempts Smartphones, Laptops From China Tariffs Amid Tech Industry Pressure
- tech360.tv
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has excluded smartphones, computers and other electronics from steep tariffs on Chinese imports, offering relief to major tech firms such as Apple and Dell Technologies.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency published the list of exclusions late Friday, with retroactive effect from 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5. The exemptions cover 20 product categories, including all computers, laptops, disc drives, semiconductor devices, memory chips and flat panel displays.
The move spares these products from Trump’s 125% reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as the 10% baseline tariffs on imports from most other countries. This includes semiconductors from Taiwan and iPhones produced in India.
China’s Ministry of Commerce responded by calling the decision a “small step” and urged the U.S. to cancel the tariffs entirely. Beijing raised its own tariffs on U.S. imports to 125% on Friday in retaliation.
Trump has not yet explained the reasoning behind the exemptions but said he would provide details on Monday. A White House official confirmed that the 20% fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese imports remain in place.
The official also said Trump plans to launch a new national security trade investigation into semiconductors, which could result in additional tariffs.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump is pushing for critical technologies like chips and smartphones to be manufactured in the U.S. She noted that companies such as Apple, Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor are accelerating efforts to onshore production.
Industry analysts welcomed the tariff relief. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities called it “the most bullish news” for the tech sector, which has faced uncertainty amid the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict.
Smartphones were the top U.S. import from China in 2024, valued at USD 41.7 billion, followed by laptops at USD 33.1 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Apple recently chartered cargo flights to transport 600 tonnes of iPhones—up to 1.5 million units—from India to the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.
Despite the exemptions, Trump has defended his tariff strategy, saying it is necessary to realign global trade. He has dismissed market volatility and inflation concerns as temporary disruptions.
U.S. stocks ended the week higher, but gold prices hit a record high and 10-year government bond yields saw their largest weekly rise since 2001, reflecting investor uncertainty.
Trump exempts smartphones, laptops and other electronics from China tariffs
Exemptions apply retroactively from April 5 and cover 20 product categories
China raises tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% in response
Source: REUTERS