The Trump administration has announced it will exclude key electronics—including smartphones, laptops, and components like hard drives and memory chips—from sweeping tariffs, shielding consumers and tech giants from a potential price spike. The 20-item exemption list, revealed late Friday, lifts the threat of 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and 10% base tariffs elsewhere.
The move directly benefits firms like Apple, Samsung, and Nvidia, providing relief amid mounting pressure in the tech sector. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called the decision a removal of “a huge black cloud” over Big Tech.
President Trump also introduced a 90-day tariff pause for all countries except China, which still faces a 125% rate. The decision comes amid recession fears and Republican concerns over losing ground in next year’s elections.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt cited the tariff relief as part of Trump’s success in securing trillions in U.S. investment, referencing Apple’s $500B pledge and Nvidia’s “several hundred billion” investment in U.S. manufacturing.
Despite the exemptions, experts say shifting production of complex devices like the iPhone to the U.S. remains unlikely due to high costs and years-long setup timelines. According to Ives, a domestically made iPhone could cost over $3,000—pricing out many consumers.
Source: Swifteradio.com.
