In a significant move amid ongoing trade tensions with China, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that smartphones and computers will be exempt from the latest round of tariffs. The decision is aimed at reducing the economic impact on American consumers and businesses, especially ahead of the holiday shopping season.
The exemptions come as part of a broader strategy to ease market concerns and maintain consumer spending. The new tariffs, originally set to target a wide range of Chinese imports, will still apply to other goods, but essential consumer electronics like smartphones and laptops will now be excluded.
Industry experts welcomed the decision, stating that applying tariffs to such devices could have led to higher prices for popular products like iPhones, MacBooks, and other tech essentials. The move is also seen as a temporary relief for tech companies heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
While the exemption offers short-term stability, analysts caution that the long-term outlook remains uncertain as trade negotiations between the U.S. and China continue.