Republican party starts to split as Trump hits the economy
Some Republicans share their frustration after President Donald Trump hits the economy with tariffs.
WASHINGTON ― The Trump administration late Friday exempted smartphones, computers and other electronic imports from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, softening the impact the duties could have on the cost of many popular tech products in the U.S.
The exemptions, published in updated guidance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, includes electronic imports made in China, which Trump has targeted with 125% reciprocal tariffs. Hard drives, memory chips and semiconductors are also among the excluded products.
The move marks a significant pivot in Trump’s aggressive tariff policy amid an escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. The Trump administration has said China is not among the 75 countries that have approached the U.S. seeking trade deals following Trump’s round of reciprocal tariffs announced last week.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump’s massive tariffs on China posed a significant threat to Apple Inc., which manufactures most of its products in China including the popular iPhone. Microsoft and Samsung Electronics are other large tech companies that manufacture products overseas and ship to the U.S.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., is among several tech leaders who have tried to curry favor with the Trump administration. Cook met with Trump at the White House in February and donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.
Bloomberg first reported the tariff exclusions. Although semiconductors are exempted from the tariffs, Trump has previously threatened plans to target semiconductors with industry-specific tariffs on imports from all countries. He has yet to impose these tariffs, however.
Amid turmoil in the stock market, Trump on Wednesday delayed for 90 days reciprocal tariffs that he imposed on many countries but keep intact a universal baseline 10% tariff on all imports. Trump also hiked tariffs on China, bringing the total tariff rate on Chinese imports to 145% and prompting Beijing to hit back with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.