Highlights

• The U.S. plans to impose tariffs on electronics like smartphones and semiconductors.
• Apple shifted inventory to the U.S. to avoid tariffs but production costs may rise.
• The tariffs are tied to national security, but experts warn that U.S.-made iPhones could cost around $3,500, creating uncertainty in global supply chains.

Caption – Apple’s exemption from ‘Reciprocal’ Tariff won’t last long. (Image credit – ABC News)

The U.S. government is getting ready to introduce new tariffs on electronics like smartphones, laptops, semiconductors and related parts within the next month or two. According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, this move is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains especially in Southeast Asia.

“We need to have semiconductors, chips, and flat panels made in America. We can’t be reliant on Southeast Asia for all the things that operate for us,” Lutnick said, as reported by ABC News on April 13, 2025.

These electronics imports will now fall under what Lutnick described as a “special focus type of tariff.” This follows President Donald Trump’s earlier decision on April 11 to temporarily exempt smartphones, laptops, and other electronics from a set of “reciprocal” tariffs that took effect on April 2, also referred to as “Liberation Day.”

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection notice that became effective April 5 had excluded certain items like hard drives, memory chips, and processors from the new 125% reciprocal tariff and a 10% global tariff. These exemptions gave a temporary break to companies like Apple and Samsung.

But that grace period is expected to end soon. Lutnick confirmed that many of these electronics, including previously exempted items, will now face tariffs under the new policy. In fact, Apple reportedly shifted its inventory from India and China to the U.S. at the end of March to beat the deadline.

Lutnick also stressed that these decisions are tied to national security, not trade negotiations. “These are things that are national security that we need to be made in America,” he said.

However, the shift toward domestic manufacturing comes with concerns. Experts have warned that if Apple starts making iPhones in the U.S., the price could soar to around $3,500. The Trump administration says it’s trying to balance support for American firms with minimizing the impact on consumers, but the quick policy changes have created uncertainty around global supply chains.

Meanwhile, Apple nearly faced a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, a combination of the 125% reciprocal tariff and a 20% “fentanyl tariff,” as Trump explained in a Truth Social post. But with the current exemptions, only the 20% fentanyl-related tariff remains.

Bloomberg reported on the tariff exemption policy development, “The exclusions, published late Friday by US Customs and Border Protection, narrow the scope of the levies by excluding the products from Trump’s 125% China tariff and his baseline 10% global tariff on nearly all other countries.”

“The exclusions would apply to smartphones, laptop computers, hard drives and computer processors and memory chips. Those popular consumer electronics items generally aren’t made in the US. Setting up domestic manufacturing would take years.”

“The products that won’t be subject to Trump’s new tariffs also include machines used to make semiconductors. That would be important for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which has announced a major new investment in the US as well as other chipmakers.”

It’s important to note that tariffs are added on top of the declared import value, which could hurt companies’ profit margins. That doesn’t automatically mean major price hikes for consumers, but even small increases could be on the horizon.

As these new tariffs roll out, the push for U.S.-based chip and electronics production could have a big impact on how tech products are made and where.

FAQs

Q1. What is the purpose of the new U.S. electronics tariffs?

Answer. The tariffs aim to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on Southeast Asian supply chains, and address national security concerns.

Q2. How will the new tariffs affect Apple?

Answer. Temporary exemptions for items like memory chips are ending. Apple shifted inventory to the U.S. to avoid tariffs, but production costs may rise.

Q3. What are experts warning about U.S.-made iPhones?

Answer. Experts warn that producing iPhones in the U.S. could increase costs significantly, potentially pricing them around $3,500.