Today's News: Smartphones, Computers, and Electronics Exempted from China Tariffs

The exemption, issued via U.S. Customs and Border Protection, spares major tech firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Dell from devastating cost increases and potential price hikes on consumer goods.

Photo: Hollie Adams/Reuters

Overview

• Date: April 12, 2025

• Topic: Trump Administration Exempts Smartphones, Computers, and Electronics from China Tariffs

• Summary: Following public backlash and economic volatility caused by sweeping 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, President Donald Trump has announced exemptions for smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other electronics. The exemption, issued via U.S. Customs and Border Protection, spares major tech firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Dell from devastating cost increases and potential price hikes on consumer goods. While the administration maintains its push for onshoring tech manufacturing and hints at future sector-specific tariffs, the move is widely seen as a strategic partial de-escalation intended to stabilize markets, protect consumer sentiment, and avoid further inflation. The exemptions apply retroactively to goods shipped as of April 5 and include over 20 product types.

Sources

• The New York Times – Trump Administration Live Updates: Smartphones and Computers Get Reprieve From New U.S. Tariffs on China - The New York Times

• CNN – Smartphones and computers are now exempt from Trump’s latest tariffs

• NBC News – Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from new tariffs

• Fox Business – Trump’s tariff blitz now exempting electrical goods like phones, laptops

• The Washington Post – Phones, other electronics exempt from new tariffs, Trump administration says

• The Wall Street Journal – Trump Exempts Smartphones, Other Electronics From Chinese Tariffs

Key Points

• Smartphones, computers, chips, and related electronic components have been excluded from Trump’s latest tariffs on Chinese imports.

• The exemption applies retroactively to shipments as of April 5 and covers over 20 product types, including semiconductors, routers, flash drives, and flat-panel displays.

• The decision was driven by concerns over inflation, consumer price spikes, and heavy losses in tech stock valuations, particularly Apple.

• Trump continues to press for tech manufacturing to move to the U.S. and has signaled possible future sector-specific tariffs under national security justifications (Section 232).

• The exemption represents a partial retreat from Trump’s broader tariff agenda but excludes China from a broader 90-day tariff reprieve granted to other countries.

Unique Highlights

• The New York Times reports that Apple lost $773 billion in valuation over four days due to the tariff threat and links the exemption to earlier lobbying and donations by tech firms.

• CNN notes Nintendo postponed the launch of its new console due to tariff uncertainty and adds that Trump hinted at further tariff exemptions during a press gaggle on Air Force One.

• NBC News quantifies the potential price hike of an iPhone to $3,500 without exemptions and ties the 90-day pause on most tariffs to bond market volatility.

• Fox Business reveals that Trump is targeting 90 trade deals in 90 days and highlights internal pressure from Treasury and Commerce secretaries to reverse course.

• The Washington Post shares that Trump’s own trade representative had recently stated there would be no exemptions, highlighting a reversal, and includes critical reactions to perceived favoritism.

• The Wall Street Journal emphasizes the impact of exemptions on the AI sector and notes the policy chaos and future risks of targeted semiconductor tariffs.

Contrasting Details

• The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal treat the exemptions as a calculated economic move to stave off recession, while Fox Business frames it as a confident and controlled strategic decision by Trump.

• NBC News and CNN highlight how market crashes and political pressure forced the administration’s hand, whereas Fox Business credits good-faith commitments from trade partners.

• The Washington Post casts doubt on the administration’s reshoring goals, pointing out the implausibility of relocating Apple’s supply chain in the short term, while White House sources across outlets continue to assert it is already underway.

• The Wall Street Journal introduces critical commentary about political favoritism in the exemption process, citing campaign donations by major tech firms, a point not raised by others.

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