FX.co ★ Trump Delays Tariffs on Electronics, But New Levies to Come

President Trump of the United States has indicated that the temporary exclusion of popular electronics—such as phones and computers—from significant tariffs (125% on imports from China and 10% globally) is simply a procedural maneuver before enforcing a distinct, targeted levy on the electronics sector. On Sunday, Trump clarified that the products currently exempted from tariffs are merely being repositioned into a different tariff category and that the review of chips and the electronics supply chain as a whole continues. The temporary relief announced on Friday, which was well-received by China, postpones the imposition of these new tariffs for a period of weeks or possibly months. This delay provides companies and lobbyists the opportunity to seek adjustments. Nonetheless, Trump maintains that this suspension is merely provisional before the implementation of sector-specific tariffs. China’s Commerce Ministry labeled the exemptions as a minor advancement toward amending what it views as unjust actions, yet it appealed to the U.S. to completely lift the tariffs and re-engage in dialogue. U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, reiterated that the exclusions serve as a transitional phase, with discussions on new tariff rates still ongoing.