Today's Edition
Washington (AFP, Reuters)
The Trump administration has exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from its punishing "reciprocal" tariffs -- lessening the cost impact on American consumers for a host of popular high-tech products.
The exemptions, published late Friday in a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection office, cover various electronic goods including smartphones and components entering the United States from China, which is currently subject to a staggering additional 145% tariff.
Semiconductors are also excluded from a "baseline" 10% tariff on most US trading partners.
In a notice to shippers, the agency published a list of tariff codes that will be excluded from the duties.
The exclusions are retroactively to 12:01 am on April 5.
The US CBP listed 20 product categories, including the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops and disc drives and automatic data processing.
It also included semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.
The notice did not provide an explanation for the Trump administration's move, but the late-night exclusion provides welcome relief to major US technology firms, including Apple Dell Technologies and countless other importers.
Although listed among the exempted goods, semiconductors could still become a target of industry-specific tariffs Trump has suggested placing on imports from all countries.
Trump said that he would give a "very specific" answer to the question of any future semiconductor levies on Monday.
The move represents another step back from Trump's maximalist tariff approach, including several escalations of his duties on Chinese goods.
