Updated Apr 12, 2025 - Business

Phones, computers exempted from Trump's 125% China tariffs

Smartphones and computers will be exempted from the 125% import levies President Trump imposed on China.

Why it matters: The exemption is a win for companies like Apple that manufacture most of their products in China.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the exemptions in a bulletin posted late Friday night.
The White House released Trump's accompanying memorandum clarifying the tariff exemptions on Saturday.
The tariffs exemptions apply retroactively to April 5.
"President Trump has made it clear America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones, and laptops. That's why the President has secured trillions of dollars in U.S. investments from the largest tech companies in the world, including Apple, TSMC, and Nvidia," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Saturday.

Driving the news: Trump announced sweeping tariffs last week that shocked markets globally.

However, he almost immediately backed down as the levies threatened to spark a global recession, leaving in place 10% tariffs on most countries but increasing levies on imports from China to 125%.
Without the exemptions announced Friday, Trump's tariff's threatened to send prices for consumer electronics skyrocketing.

The latest bulletin also exempts electronic components like semiconductors and and flat panel TV screens, CNBC reported.
China has retaliated with 125% tariffs on American goods.

Be smart: Trump so far has gotten nothing concrete in trade concessions, despite now twice backing off his original plan, but stocks are down, the dollar is weaker, and we've antagonized allies.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with President Trunp's memorandum.