Trump Indicates New Tariffs on Smartphones and Computers
Good morning and welcome to our US politics blog.
In a late Friday announcement, Donald Trump’s administration has exempted smartphones and computers from the 125% tariffs on imports from China and other nations, labeled as “reciprocal” tariffs.
These devices will not be subjected to the 10% global tariff Trump imposed on most countries, or the larger import tax on China, suggesting a possible shift in Trump’s trade stance toward Beijing.
US stock markets are projected to recover following this announcement, with shares of Apple and Nvidia likely to rise due to the elimination of tariffs on their imported products for three months.
Donald Trump on Sunday stated that the tariff rate on imported semiconductors will be announced next week. Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
China’s trade ministry remarked that this exemption signifies the US taking “a small step toward correcting its erroneous unilateral practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’,” and advised the American government to abolish the entire punitive tariff regime.
Conversely, Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, pointed out on Sunday that essential technology products from China would incur new duties along with semiconductors in the upcoming two months.
“He claims they’re exempt from reciprocal tariffs, yet they’re included in the semiconductor tariffs, which will be coming in likely a month or two,” Lutnick clarified in an ABC interview. “These items are of national security importance and need to be produced in America.”
With ongoing ambiguity surrounding the White House’s tariff policy, Trump mentioned that further details regarding his administration’s stance on semiconductor tariffs will be shared later today.
He also hinted that any exemptions for China-manufactured smartphones would be temporary, stating on social media: “No one is evading accountability for unfair trade balances.” Stay with us throughout the day for updates on tariff developments and other US political news.
