First the tariffs on electronics and computers were on. Then they were off. Now, they’re back on again.
Let’s try to break it down.
On Saturday, Mashable reported that certain goods from China were being exempted from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s latest guidelines. These items included electronics and computers, such as smartphones, laptops, semiconductors, and flat-panel display modules.
Overall, Trump has placed a whopping 145 percent tariff on China and a 10 percent global tariff on most trading partners, leaving tech companies scrambling to adapt.
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Yet before the weekend was over, the Trump administration had already walked back these exemptions. In an interview with This Week on ABC News, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that the electronics exemptions were only temporary. Lutnick said that these goods would be included in a new semiconductor tariff that the Trump administration was preparing.
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Later that day, Trump published a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, to provide more information on these tariffs.
“NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook’ for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!” Trump said. “There was no Tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday.”
Trump went on to say that smartphones and laptops are still subject to the 20 percent “Fentanyl Tariffs.” Trump also confirmed that these goods will be moved to a “different tariff bucket,” referencing Lutnick’s mention of a semiconductor tariff.
“We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations,” Trump continued.
Last week, an analysis from UBS Investment Research found that under the then-imposed tariffs on China, the cost of an iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB would rise by $675. The iPhone model, which currently retails for $1,199, would potentially be sold for $1,874 under Trump’s tariffs.
As of now, it is unclear exactly what the semiconductor tariffs will look like, but it does seem like the weekend’s exemption will be short-lived.
Keep checking Mashable for our latest tariff news and explainers, from delayed Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to reports of iPhone 16 panic buying.
