By Ricardo Lezama 
The Trump administration has issued key exemptions from its latest round of so-called “reciprocal” tariffs, sparing a range of consumer electronics from steep import levies. The move potentially shields U.S. consumers from sharp price increases and offers relief to major tech companies like Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.
According to a statement released late Friday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the exemptions apply to:
- Smartphones
- Laptop computers
- Hard drives and memory chips
- Central processing units (CPUs)
- Machines used in semiconductor manufacturing
These products are excluded from both the 125% tariff targeting imports from China and the baseline 10% global tariff that was applied to most other nations. The rationale behind the exemption appears to be that most of these electronics are not manufactured in the U.S., and relocating production domestically would require significant time and investment.
One notable beneficiary could be Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which recently announced a major expansion of its U.S. operations. Excluding chip-making machines from the tariffs may encourage further semiconductor investments on American soil.
However, the relief may be short-lived. The exemptions stem from the original trade order, which aimed to prevent cumulative tariffs from overlapping across sectors and national targets. Officials have signaled that new, more tailored tariffs—likely lower than 125%—could soon replace these exemptions, especially in the case of China.
While Trump has repeatedly called for tariffs on semiconductors, he has yet to set a definitive rate. His administration has typically favored a 25% sectoral tariff, though further details remain unclear.
The White House has not yet commented on the newly published exemptions.