Trump threatens new tariffs on Electronics amid trade tensions

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, April 14th, 2025

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President Donald Trump announced that Chinese-made electronics, including smartphones and computers, will not be exempt from tariffs, despite previous reports suggesting otherwise. He clarified that these products would be shifted to a new tariff “bucket” and subject to a “semiconductor tariff” instead.
This development follows a report stating that certain products would be excluded from the 145% levies. Trump rejected these reports on social media, calling them false, and reiterated the necessity of tariffs on electronics to boost U.S. economic growth. “We need our electronics and semiconductors built in America,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
China responded by urging Trump to cancel his tariffs and return to a path of mutual respect. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce described the exemptions as a minor concession but remained firm in its opposition to U.S. tariff policies.
Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on semiconductors and electronics specifically targets essential tech components used in everyday devices like smartphones and laptops. These new tariffs will be added to the previously imposed global tariffs on Chinese goods.
In related news, Sony announced a price increase for its PlayStation 5 in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, citing inflation and economic uncertainty, though the U.S. price remains unchanged.
As trade tensions intensify, it remains unclear whether this will lead to further escalation or if diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and China will resume.