Tech Desk 
Apr 13, 2025
In a surprising turn of events, despite US President Donald Trump’s recently enforced overwhelming tariffs for a variety of Chinese goods, the new US administration has now announced a huge relief by exempting iPhones, smartphones, computers, and many more electronics items.
Prior to the reprieve, most of the US tariffs were aimed at undermining Chinese imports by incurring significant tariffs, which China proactively reciprocated.
According to a notice issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the waiver was applied retroactively from 12:01am EDT on April 5, Reuters reported.
"There is still clear uncertainty and volatility ahead with these China negotiations.... Big Tech firms like Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and the broader tech industry can breathe a huge sigh of relief this weekend into Monday," Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives stated in an industry note.
The list of 20 exempted product categories covers the 8471 tariff code, applicable to computers, laptops, disc drives, and automatic data processing equipment. The special treatment is also given to semiconductor devices, memory chips, equipment, and flat-panel displays.
Although no official reason was provided for the latest move, it comes as a notable relief for tech giants like Apple and Dell, who heavily rely on components and final products from abroad.
It also came to light that the exclusion also extends to Trump's 10% baseline tariffs on imports from countries other than China, reducing the prices of goods like Taiwanese semiconductors and Indian-made iPhones.
