17 sources·Business

Temporary Tariff Exemption for Electronics Could Lead to New Semiconductor Duties Soon

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reveals upcoming semiconductor tariffs, stressing the temporary nature of current exemptions on electronics amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

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  1. Trump warns China ‘not getting off the hook’ on US tariffs for electronics

    With Trump’s latest comments, that now may have been premature, and the world’s two largest economies remain locked in a bitter struggle.

    Trump warns China ‘not getting off the hook’ on US tariffs for electronics

    Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·5d
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  2. Tariff Uncertainty Reigns After Commerce Secretary Calls New Electronics Exemptions ‘Temporary’ and Hints at Levies on Computer Chips

    The return of tariff uncertainty on Sunday following Mr. Lutnick’s remarks pared the weekend optimism for tech stocks and left traders scratching their heads once again about the future of American trade policy.

    Tariff Uncertainty Reigns After Commerce Secretary Calls New Electronics Exemptions ‘Temporary’ and Hints at Levies on Computer Chips

    New York SunNew York Sun·5d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  3. Trump official says tariff exemptions will only last a 'month or two'

    The administration has introduced tariffs to push companies to invest in American manufacturing.

    Trump official says tariff exemptions will only last a 'month or two'

    Straight Arrow NewsStraight Arrow News·5d
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  4. Trump trade policies face pushback as recession fears grow | Business

    The Trump administration has held steady that tariffs will strengthen the US economy by boosting manufacturing and protecting jobs.

    Trump trade policies face pushback as recession fears grow | Business

    CNNCNN·5d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  5. Lutnick Says Exempted Electronic Products Will Face Separate Tariffs

    After initially dropping on the April 2 tariff plan unveiling, the S&P 500 rose 9.5 percent—its highest single-gain day since October 2008—on Wednesday after Trump announced his 90-day pause on most tariffs.

    Lutnick Says Exempted Electronic Products Will Face Separate Tariffs

    Epoch TimesEpoch Times·6d
    Mixed Reliable
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    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  6. More Chaos: Trump Admin Signals New Tariffs on Electronics from China After Pause

    Despite the chaos and apparent flip-flopping, Navarro claimed the tariffs are “unfolding exactly like we thought it would in a dominant scenario.”

    More Chaos: Trump Admin Signals New Tariffs on Electronics from China After Pause

    Rolling StoneRolling Stone·6d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Left
    This outlet favors left-wing views.
  7. US stock markets expected to recover after Trump drops tariffs on mobiles

    The temporary reprieve was widely seen as a climbdown after pressure from Republican leaders concerned that the soaring cost of smartphones would spark a voter backlash.

    US stock markets expected to recover after Trump drops tariffs on mobiles

    The GuardianThe Guardian·6d
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  8. Trump Aides: Tariff Exemptions on Chips Temporary

    The assertions made by Navarro and Lutnick came the same day that China reacted to the exemptions, calling them a "small step by U.S. to correct its wrong practice of unilateral 'reciprocal tariffs.'"

    Trump Aides: Tariff Exemptions on Chips Temporary

    NewsmaxNewsmax·6d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  9. Trump tariffs: China urges US to 'completely cancel' import taxes

    However, his interventions have seen massive fluctuations in the stock market and raised fears of a decrease in global trade that could have a knock-on effect on jobs and individual economies.

    Trump tariffs: China urges US to 'completely cancel' import taxes

    BBC NewsBBC News·6d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  10. Commerce Secretary Lutnick says tariff exemptions for electronics are only temporary

    The administration's clarification comes after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bulletin was posted Friday night outlining key electronics -- smartphones, computers, solar cells, flat-panel TV displays and semiconductor-based storage devices, among others -- would be exempt from the tariffs announced since April 2.

    Commerce Secretary Lutnick says tariff exemptions for electronics are only temporary

    ABC NewsABC News·6d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  11. Trump administration says it will exclude some electronics from tariffs

    The exemption seemed to reflect the president’s realization that his China tariffs are unlikely to shift more manufacturing of smartphones, computers and other gadgets to the U.S. any time soon, if ever, despite the administration’s predictions that the trade war prod Apple to make iPhones in the U.S. for the first time.

    Trump administration says it will exclude some electronics from tariffs

    Boston HeraldBoston Herald·6d
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  12. After market tumult, Trump exempts smartphones from massive new tariffs

    Economists have warned that the sweeping nature of Trump’s tariffs—which apply to a broad range of common US consumer goods—threaten to fuel US inflation and hit economic growth.

    After market tumult, Trump exempts smartphones from massive new tariffs

    ARS TechnicaARS Technica·6d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. Al Jazeera
  2. New York Sun
  3. Straight Arrow News
  4. CNN
  5. Epoch Times
  6. Rolling Stone
  7. The Guardian
  8. Newsmax
  9. BBC News
  10. ABC News
  11. Boston Herald
  12. ARS Technica

Updated: Apr 13th, 2025, 6:18 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

President Trump announced a temporary exemption for smartphones and high-end electronics from steep tariffs, intended to encourage U.S. manufacturing. However, Commerce Secretary Lutnick clarified these exemptions are short-term, and new tariffs targeting semiconductors will be introduced in a month or two. The aim is to reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers. Despite ongoing tariff negotiations and concerns from economists about inflation and economic impacts, Lutnick remains optimistic about finding a resolution with China. Current tariffs on Chinese imports remain significant, causing volatility in the stock market and renewed uncertainty for the tech sector.


Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.
  • The Trump administration's exemption of smartphones and certain consumer electronics from tariffs is seen as a temporary relief, with upcoming semiconductor tariffs likely to complicate the market further.

  • Analysts remain skeptical, highlighting that while this exemption temporarily eases price concerns, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariff policy could adversely affect long-term market stability.

  • The exemption aids major industry players like Apple by preventing immediate price hikes, but raises alarm over potential future tariffs and their inflationary impact on the economy.


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