The Trump administration has revised the list of imports subject to broad global tariffs, now exempting certain electronics such as smartphones and computers. This updated guidance was released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday night. The exemption pertains to the substantial “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by President Trump on numerous countries, which have been temporarily halted until early July, except for China, which continues to face a 145% levy.
The exemption applies to products entering or departing U.S. warehouses beginning April 5. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing tariff conflict with China, which has implemented a 125% tariff on U.S. goods. Previously, prices for Chinese electronics, a vital industry, were anticipated to rise significantly.
Among the products now excluded from Trump’s steep tariffs are smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and flat panel display modules. However, the guidance does not modify the existing 20% tariff on Chinese goods, which was instituted due to China’s role in the fentanyl trade.
China has historically been the primary supplier of electronic products to the U.S., as reported by the U.S. International Trade Commission, with Mexico, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia also being key exporters. Prior to the updated guidance, American technology companies dependent on Chinese supply chains, like Apple, were anticipated to face considerable challenges, as noted by Dan Ives, Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities, in an interview with CNBC earlier this week.
