Trump Delays Tech Tariffs to Ease Consumer Impact

President Donald Trump has paused a new wave of tariffs that would have hit smartphones, laptops, and key electronic components imported from countries like China.

The decision offers a temporary breather to tech companies and everyday consumers alike, many of whom had braced for higher prices.

The announcement came through new guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, confirming that several high-demand electronics — including iPhones, laptops, hard drives, and memory chips — will be excluded from the latest round of import duties. The White House says the decision was made to prevent immediate shocks to both the market and consumers while larger trade strategies continue to take shape.

Markets responded with a sigh of relief. Big names in tech saw their stocks surge — Apple jumped over 6%, and PC maker Dell rose more than 7%. Major chip manufacturers like Intel and Qualcomm also climbed, as investors welcomed what they saw as a smart, if temporary, retreat from a potentially costly policy.

Still, officials were clear: the reprieve is only temporary. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that while this pause provides room to reassess, it doesn’t mean all industries are off the hook. “We are considering targeted tariffs in the semiconductor sector,” he noted, pointing to ongoing concerns about the U.S.’s dependence on foreign-made chips.

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President Trump echoed that sentiment, insisting the tariff pause isn’t a policy reversal but rather a step toward a bigger goal — bringing more tech manufacturing back to American soil. “We’re not walking back,” he said. “We’re giving time for adjustment. We want more of these products made right here in the U.S.”

Industry watchers see the move as a strategic one. By holding off for now, the administration avoids the risk of alienating consumers in an election year while still keeping the pressure on manufacturers to rethink their reliance on overseas factories.

The tech sector, while cautiously optimistic, knows uncertainty still looms. Many companies are now scrambling to reconsider their supply chains and brace for possible future tariffs that could come with little warning.