Trump spares smartphones, laptops from China tariffs in consumer relief move

The Trump administration has exempted smartphones, computers and semiconductor chips from reciprocal tariffs, a move that could ease potential price hikes for consumers and benefit major electronics companies like Apple and Samsung, according to agencies.

The exemptions, announced this week, cover popular consumer electronics not manufactured in the U.S., including laptops, smartphones and computer processors, as well as machinery used to produce semiconductors.

The decision aims to avoid immediate price increases on widely used products while maintaining pressure on China in ongoing trade negotiations.

Administration officials suggested the reprieve could be temporary, noting that the exemptions may later be replaced by a different, likely lower, tariff structure for Chinese goods. The move reflects the administration's effort to balance trade policy goals with economic realities affecting consumers and businesses.

The tariffs were initially proposed as part of a "reciprocal" approach to trade, targeting countries with higher import duties on U.S. goods. Critics warned that applying them to electronics could raise costs for American consumers, while supporters argued they were necessary to push for fairer trade terms.

The exemption is expected to provide relief for tech companies reliant on global supply chains, though broader trade tensions between the U.S. and China remain unresolved.