US Partially Eases Trump Tariffs: Smartphones, Computers, Semiconductors Exempted From Massive Duties

In a major shift, the US exempts key electronics from the steep 145% tariff on Chinese goods, aiming to reduce consumer burden amid trade war escalation.

Washington, April 12: The Trump administration has granted exemptions to smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and various electronic components from its recently announced reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports. The exclusions, made public in a late Friday notice by the US Customs and Border Protection office, aim to minimize the impact on American consumers as trade tensions with China escalate.

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These high-tech items were previously subject to tariffs as high as 145%, including the baseline 10% tariff on most US trade partners and a sweeping 125% additional levy on Chinese goods. The move comes just days after the new China-specific tariffs took effect.

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⚙️ Key Exemptions Include:

Smartphones
Laptops and tablets
Semiconductors and processors
Hard drives and memory components

While President Donald Trump has positioned these tariffs as a way to curb China’s dominance in global trade and revive American manufacturing, critics argue that many of the affected goods are either not produced in the US or would take years to localize.

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This policy adjustment indicates a strategic recalibration, acknowledging that raising consumer prices for essential electronics could backfire economically and politically.

🌐 Backdrop:

The tariffs are part of Trump’s broader push against what Washington sees as unfair Chinese trade practices—including intellectual property theft and alleged involvement in fentanyl trafficking. The current trade measures have already drawn criticism from businesses, economists, and foreign policy analysts concerned about supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures.

Tags: US-China trade war, Trump tariffs, electronics exemptions, smartphones, computers, semiconductors, reciprocal tariffs, US Customs and Border Protection, global trade policy

Mahendra Mohan