Smartphones and computers granted tariff exemptions in Trump’s trade war

Smartphones, computers and other electronic goods entering the US, as of Saturday, April 12, 2025, are to be exempted from the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports.

This iis according to a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection office published late on Friday.

The move will go some way to cushion American consumers from the expected cost impact of the tariffs on a range of high-tech products.

The exemption includes electronics coming from China, which are currently hit by an additional 145% tariff.

Semiconductors are also excluded from the “baseline” 10% tariff on most US trading partners and the added 125% levy on China.

More about the exemption

The Customs and Border Protection agency listed 20 product categories in its list of exempted products.

These included the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops and disc drives and automatic data processing.

Other equipment include semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.

The exclusions are effective retroactively to 12:01 a.m. on April 5.

No explanation for the move was given.

It is a source of relief for major US technology firms including the California-based Apple and the Texas-based Dell.

What does the exemption mean for Trump’s tariff policy?

Since taking office early this year, the Trump administration has been actively expanding the US tariff policies.

First, it expanded with a special focus on China but then with wider measures including nearly all countries.

However, most of the tariffs announced were later reversed or paused, except those imposed on Beijing.

Products entering the US from China are now subject to a levy of up to %145.

Beijing has responded in kind, raising its own tariffs on US goods to %125.

Trump has defended his policies, saying he aims to bring major productions to the US.

However, most electronic equipment, especially smartphones are currently produced in Asia, and high tariffs translate to higher prices.

The higher prices includes for US citizens, whom Trump had promised to bring down prices in his election campaign last year.

Wealth advisory firm Wedbush Securities estimates that some 90% of iPhones are produced and assembled in China.

The Associated Press news agency quoted Wedbush analyst Dan Ives as saying in a research note:

The exemption takes off “a huge black cloud overhang for now over the tech sector and the pressure facing US Big Tech,”

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