In a key exemption to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff hike, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Friday that electronics imported into the U.S.—including smartphones, monitors, and key components—will not be subject to the new reciprocal tariffs. The exemption applies retroactively from April 5 and comes just days after the administration imposed a steep 145% minimum tariff on Chinese goods.
The move is seen as a lifeline for tech giants like Apple, which relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing. Analysts at Wedbush called the decision “the best news possible for tech investors,” predicting short-term stability for firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft.
However, the 20% fentanyl-related tariff on Chinese goods remains. The White House emphasized Trump’s ongoing push to bring tech manufacturing back to the U.S., highlighting investment commitments from Apple and TSMC. Meanwhile, companies like Nintendo are reevaluating product launches amid uncertainty over future tariffs.
