Trump Tariffs No Longer Include Certain Electronics, Including Smartphones
Summary
- A notice from US Customs and Border Protection has revealed that certain electronics, including smartphones and computers, will be exempted from the new tariffs.
- The change will affect products entering the United States as early as April 5, following the recent introduction of a massive tariff hike on China.
- The tariffs have raised concerns among fans about potential raised prices on both games and new consoles, particularly with regards to the upcoming Switch 2.
United States President Donald Trump’s bevy of tariffs issued against other countries around the world are now reportedly set to exclude certain types of electronics, including smartphones. The first few months of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president have been a hectic time across multiple industries, with the newly-enacted commander-in-chief making sweeping changes. President Trump’s new suite of tariffs have been one of the biggest early stories, with the tariffs hitting everything from groceries to electronics. Now, however, one particular sector may be spared from the raised prices.
The gaming industry has seen plenty of concern from both fans and developers about the impact of tariffs on both consoles and new software. Nintendo announced that, with the impending launch of its next console, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 would be delayed in the U.S. to assess the impact of the tariffs. The array of markups on foreign products has incited worries about potential increases for other consoles as well, including particular concern about the price point of the PS5 Pro. A recent report now reveals that certain products will be exempted from the new tariffs.
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Smartphones and Other Electronics Exempt from New Trump Tariffs
As reported by CNN, a recent notice shared by United States Customs and Border Protection has confirmed some products will not be affected by the tariffs. The exemption will see smartphones, computer monitors, and other electronics parts not included as part of the raised prices from the newly-enacted tariffs, applying to products entering after April 5. The change will see major tech companies like Microsoft and Apple able to continue development and normal sales in countries like China, which makes up the majority of Apple’s parts production.
The newly-enacted exemptions to Trump’s newest round of tariffs could have a major impact on the gaming industry, which has already seen growing concerns about new console price points. Many fans have already spoken out against the pricing of Nintendo’s newest console, with the Switch 2 set to start at $450 USD for the base console. The new Nintendo console also saw the developer raising the prices for new games, with Mario Kart World being sold for $80 for one of the Switch 2’s premiere launch titles.
The continued tariffs have also raised concerns about the overall effect on games and the entertainment industry. The ESA recently gave a statement about the tariffs, feeling that they could have a “real and detrimental” impact on gaming leading to higher console and game prices. Several Japanese developers also saw their stock prices take a major hit, with both Sony and Nintendo seeing marked decreases following the new tariffs. Hopefully, the new exemptions will lead to a more affordable gaming experience for gamers in the U.S. and around the world.