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US President Donald Trump's 125 per cent China tariff has been dropped for a range of electronic goods, including smartphones and computers. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Apr 13, 2025, 06:27 AM

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Trump spares smartphones, computers from China tariff

The US government has granted tariff exclusions for smartphones, computers and other electronics imported largely from China, sparing them from President Donald Trump’s steep 125 per cent reciprocal duties.

A notice from the US Customs and Border Protection agency did not provide an explanation for the Trump administration’s move, but the late-night exclusion provides welcome relief to major US technology firms, including Apple, Dell Technologies and countless other importers.

The exclusion only applies to Mr Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods, which climbed to 125 per cent this week, according to a White House official. Trump’s prior 20 per cent duties on all Chinese imports that he said were related to the US fentanyl crisis remain in place.

But the official said Mr Trump will launch a new national security trade investigation into semiconductors soon that could lead to other new tariffs on the sector.