The US government has excluded smartphones, computers and other electronics from its reciprocal tariffs, potentially sparing consumers from price hikes, Bloomberg reported. The move that was announced late on Friday by US Customs and Border Protection, benefits tech giants like Apple and Samsung. The report further stated that it narrows the scope of Trump’s trade levies by removing these products from both the 125% China tariff and the 10% global tariff.
The exempted range of electronic devices and components also include semiconductors, solar cells and memory cards. The move could shield consumers from rising prices and benefit tech giants like Apple and Samsung.
The US CBP listed 20 product categories, including the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops and disc drives and automatic data processing. It also included semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.
The notice did not provide an explanation for the Trump administration’s move, but the late-night exclusion provides welcome relief to major US technology firms, including Apple Dell Technologies and countless other importers.
The decision comes as the US-China trade conflict intensifies. China on Saturday implemented retaliatory tariffs of 125% on American imports, just below the 145% duties imposed by Washington on Chinese goods. Beijing also filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization, dismissing President Donald Trump’s tariff threats as “a joke”.
China indicated it will no longer respond to further US tariffs, citing diminishing economic incentives to import American products.
(With inputs from Reuters)