The Trump administration is set to reinstate tariffs on smartphones, laptops, and other electronics, reversing a recent exemption, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announcing the move will happen “a month or two” from April 13, 2025.
Smartphones, laptops, and other products that were exempt from Trump’s April 9th tariffs will be subject to duties similar to those applied to the semiconductor industry. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl on “This Week” that these electronics would be lumped in with semiconductor duties “in a month or two.” Lutnick clarified that the initial exemption was “not like a permanent sort of exemption,” indicating that the products would later be subject to “a special focus type of tariff.”
When asked if the new tariffs would include products like iPhones, many of which are built in China, Lutnick confirmed that this was “correct.” The goal, he said, is to “encourage them to reshore, to be built in America.” Lutnick addressed concerns about potential price increases for US consumers, stating, “I don’t necessarily think so.” He explained that the idea is to manufacture goods in America, citing Panasonic’s battery factory in Kansas as an example of foreign companies investing in US manufacturing.
Lutnick referenced Panasonic’s EV plant, which was announced in November 2022 and is reportedly nearing completion. Panasonic stands to gain billions in incentives under the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, legislation that Trump has threatened to “rescind all unspent funds” from. This comes as the administration prepares to conduct National Security Tariff Investigations focusing on semiconductors and the entire electronics supply chain.
President Trump later stated that the announcement of tariffs on imported semiconductors would be made “over the next week,” indicating flexibility for certain products. Trump’s comments on Air Force One, as reported by Axios, suggested that while there would be tariffs, some products would be treated differently. The administration’s plan to reinstate tariffs on various electronics highlights the ongoing efforts to influence manufacturing operations and the supply chain.
The Trump administration’s decision to reimpose tariffs on smartphones, laptops, and other electronics marks a significant shift in trade policy. The move aims to encourage companies to “reshore” their manufacturing operations to the United States. As the administration prepares to announce the tariff rates, the focus remains on the semiconductor industry and the broader electronics supply chain.
