Trump Threatens New Tariffs on Smartphones Days After Granting Exemptions
Washington, D.C., April 14, 2025 — In a dramatic policy reversal, former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on smartphones imported from China, just days after announcing an exemption for the popular electronic devices.
Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, Trump criticized what he called “unfair trade practices” by Chinese tech manufacturers and said his administration, if re-elected, would “take a tougher stance” on all electronics, including smartphones.
This comes as a surprise to both industry leaders and political analysts, as smartphones were notably excluded from a fresh round of tariff threats announced earlier this month. The exemption was seen as a strategic move to avoid backlash from American consumers ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
“China is eating our lunch on tech,” Trump told supporters. “We’ll be looking very seriously at tariffs on smartphones. We can’t let them flood our markets anymore.”
Industry experts warn that such tariffs could increase prices for U.S. consumers and disrupt global supply chains. Major tech companies like Apple and Samsung, which rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing, have yet to comment on the latest threat.
The White House has not issued an official statement on Trump’s remarks, which some believe may be part of a broader campaign strategy to appeal to economic nationalists.
With uncertainty brewing, markets reacted cautiously Monday morning, with tech stocks experiencing minor declines amid fears of renewed trade tensions.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.