The Trump administration late Friday said it will exclude electronics such as smartphones and laptops from mutual definitions, a step that can help maintain
It will also benefit major technology companies such as Apple, Samsung and chips like NVIDIA.
Customs and American border protection said that items such as smartphones, laptops, hard drives, flat plate screens and some chips will qualify for the exemption. The machines used to make semiconductors are also excluded. This means that they will not be subject to current definitions by 145 % imposed on China or 10 % basic definitions elsewhere.
It is the latest introductory change by the Trump administration, which made many rotation in its huge plan to put a customs tariff on goods from most countries. The goal is to encourage more local manufacturing. But it seems that the exemptions acknowledge that the current electronics supply chain is almost all in Asia and it will be difficult to convert it to the United States for example, about 90 % of iPhone devices are produced and collected in China, according to Wedbush Securities.
“This step is” A Black Cloud Townhang at the present time on the technology and pressure sector facing us with great technology. “
Trump previously said he would consider exempting some companies from definitions.
Apple and Samsung did not respond to the request early on Saturday. NVIDIA refused to comment.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.