Smartphones, computers exempted from US ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

United States President Donald Trump’s administration has exempted smartphones, computers and several other electronic goods – including those made in China – from steep tariffs, offering major relief to technology firms such as Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft that depend on overseas manufacturing, reported Reuters.

Smartphones were the US’ top import from China in 2024, valued at 41.7 billion dollars, while laptops ranked second at 33.1 billion dollars, according to the US Census Bureau.

According to a notice published late on Friday by the United States Customs and Border Protection, products including smartphones, computer monitors, laptops, semiconductors, memory chips, disc drives and flat panel displays will not be subject to the new tariffs.

The exclusions, covering 20 product categories, are retroactive to April 5. For Chinese imports, the exclusions only apply to Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, which climbed to 125% this week. Washington’s prior 20% duties on all Chinese imports, which Trump has linked to the country’s alleged role in the US fentanyl crisis, remain in place, as do the baseline 10% tariffs on most countries.

The decision follows the Trump administration’s move on Wednesday to introduce a minimum tariff rate of 145% on Chinese imports. However, Friday’s exemption could ease costs for electronics made in other countries such as India and Taiwan. Apple,...

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