If you’re planning to buy a new smartphone or laptop anytime soon, you’re probably safe from sudden price hikes — for now.
On April 11, President Donald Trump announced that certain electronics — including smartphones, computers, and some of their components — will be temporarily exempt from the steep new tariffs on Chinese imports. While most goods from China are now subject to tariffs of at least 145%, devices like phones and laptops are spared — but only temporarily.
Still, there’s uncertainty ahead. The Trump administration has signaled that a fresh round of tariffs targeting semiconductors — the essential chips inside nearly every electronic device — could arrive soon. And many everyday tech accessories like charging cables and earbuds aren’t covered by the current exemptions, meaning consumers could start seeing higher prices on those smaller but essential gadgets.
The Tech Industry’s Supply Chain Scramble
For tech companies, the current situation makes planning nearly impossible.
Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at International Data Corporation (IDC), explained that companies are rushing to ship as many products to the U.S. as possible before new tariffs hit. For instance, according to Reuters, Apple’s suppliers in India shipped almost $2 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S. in March alone. Meanwhile, PC shipments to the U.S. jumped by 12.6% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Gartner, as brands scrambled to beat potential tariff deadlines.
But Trump’s team has made it clear: nobody is truly off the hook.
In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized that no full exemptions have been granted and that products like smartphones are simply being placed into a different “tariff category” as the administration reevaluates the entire electronics supply chain. In fact, a formal investigation into semiconductor imports kicked off recently, setting the stage for future tariffs targeting those critical components.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett clarified that semiconductor tariffs were always planned separately from the broad reciprocal tariffs.
A Rollercoaster for Markets
Earlier this month, fears around tariffs caused the S&P 500 to suffer its worst week since 2020. But when Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of the new tariffs, stock markets rebounded sharply, reflecting investor relief at the temporary slowdown.
What Tech Products Are Affected?
Products currently exempted from tariffs include:
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Smartphones
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Computers (labeled as “automatic data processing machines”)
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Monitors
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Storage devices
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Certain critical components like integrated circuits and transistors
However, plenty of everyday items didn’t make the cut. USB cables, portable chargers, headphones, video game consoles, and other smaller gadgets likely won’t be exempt.
According to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), items like computer mice and keyboards are included in the exemptions, but final decisions on classification rest with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
This creates a lot of gray areas. As Dave Marcotte, senior vice president at Kantar, explains, companies will now have to get creative in how they categorize products to navigate Customs regulations.
Even before the exemptions were detailed, analysts expected that lower-cost accessories — things like chargers, batteries, and cables — would be the first items to see price increases.
“The smaller, cheaper items are where consumers will feel the pinch first,” said Marcotte.
Unlike larger companies like Apple, smaller manufacturers often have thinner profit margins and less flexibility to absorb additional costs, meaning price hikes are almost guaranteed to be passed on to customers.
A quick look at Amazon shows that many budget-friendly tech accessories — like earbuds under $50 and portable battery packs — are either made in China or sourced from Chinese manufacturers.
Adding to the pressure, Trump recently eliminated the “de minimis exemption,” which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. without import taxes. This change could further raise prices on lower-cost goods.
As analyst Jack Leathem of Canalys pointed out, “A $40 jump on an $80 product feels a lot more painful to consumers than a $300 increase on a $1,200 device.”
What Comes Next?
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that tariffs targeting semiconductor imports are expected “within the next month or two,” part of Trump’s broader push to reduce American dependence on China.
However, moving full tech production — like iPhone manufacturing — to the U.S. remains highly unlikely.
Despite a $500 billion commitment from Apple to expand its U.S. operations, those investments focus mostly on server production and education, not smartphone manufacturing. Experts like Francisco Jeronimo say labor shortages and logistical hurdles would make relocating iPhone production to the U.S. extremely difficult.
Instead, many tech companies are exploring alternatives outside China, including shifting some operations to regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Tariff uncertainty is already affecting product launches and sales strategies. IDC reports that smartphone sales grew over 5% in the first quarter of 2025, driven partly by consumer urgency to buy before prices climb.
Even Nintendo postponed U.S. preorders for its anticipated Switch 2 console as it evaluates the evolving trade landscape.
As Dipanjan Chatterjee of Forrester put it, “You can stockpile groceries during a storm, but there’s no way to stockpile years’ worth of trade policy uncertainty.”
In short: expect the unexpected when shopping for tech gear in the months ahead.
