The Trump administration has decided to exempt smartphones and other consumer electronics from its harsh “reciprocal” tariffs , offering a major lift to companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The move comes after a volatile week in financial markets and is seen as the first real sign that Trump might ease trade tensions with China. According to a Customs and Border Patrol notice, the exemption covers items such as smartphones, routers, laptops, and chipmaking equipment. This decision arrives shortly after Trump imposed 125% tariffs on Chinese imports, sending shockwaves through global markets and wiping out around $700 billion from Apple’s market value in just a few days. Apple stands to benefit significantly , as most of its iPhones are still produced in China despite efforts to shift some manufacturing to India. The White House emphasized that US tech firms are now working to bring production back to the US, in line with Trump’s push for tech independence from China. Still, the broader 20% tariffs on Chinese goods tied to fentanyl production remain in place. While the exemptions mirror similar decisions made during earlier trade wars in 2018 and 2019, experts warn that Trump could reverse course again. China called the exemption a small but positive move , though it continues to monitor the broader impact. Meanwhile, in the crypto market, Bitcoin surged above $83,000 following lower-than-expected US inflation data. The Producer Price Index came in at 2.7%, down from the anticipated 3.3%, boosting optimism among investors. The US dollar also hit a three-year low, a pattern that in the past has led to major Bitcoin rallies. Some analysts now suggest that these trends could signal the start of a new bull market for crypto.
