Trump Exempts Smartphones, Other Electronics From Chinese Tariffs
The step back was announced in a late Friday filing with Customs and Border Protection
April 12, 2025 The Wall Street Journal
Smartphones, laptop computers, memory chips and other electronics will be exempt from President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on China, according to new guidance from the administration, in another step back that could ease some consumer concerns about an immediate spike in costs for electronic products.
The guidance, published Friday night by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, also exempts machines used to create semiconductors, flat screen TVs, tablets and desktop computers from Trump’s 125% China tariff and his 10% baseline tariff on countries around the world.
The move by the Trump administration could benefit companies like Apple, Samsung, HP, Dell, and Microsoft that manufacture parts of their electronics outside of the U.S.
Trump hinted at exemptions Friday night on Air Force One with reporters. “There could be a couple of exceptions for obvious reasons, but I would say 10% is a floor,” Trump said. Earlier in the week administration officials said that the tariffs on China would encourage the manufacturing of electronics in the U.S.
Write to Meridith McGraw at Meridith.McGraw@WSJ.com