President Trump’s tariffs had tech prices on the edge. Now, some gadgets get a break. But not everything’s safe.
When President Donald Trump rolled out tariffs on exports from 75 countries, experts predicted the next iPhones in the US might run you around $2,150. The Consumer Technology Association even suggested sales of laptops and tablets could plunge by up to 68%.
Thankfully, some good news dropped late Friday—smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other electronics are getting a break from most of those tariffs. That’s a huge relief for tech companies and consumers alike. But how exactly does the change affect the gadgets we use every day?
Well, it’s worth checking out the US Customs and Border Protection’s (USCBP) exemption list to see which categories of tech gear are in the clear. I’ve connected the dots to figure out which gadgets got lucky, which didn’t, and what this means for your everyday tech. If you’re planning to pick up a new phone, laptop, or game console anytime soon, you’ll definitely want to know what’s going on.
Trump tariff exemptions
Late Friday, US Customs and Border Protection revealed a list of products that dodge Trump’s hefty tariffs. These exclusions remove certain tech items from the 125% China tariff and the 10% global tariff that hit just about everyone else.
Good news if you’re eyeing new gadgets. The list covers essentials like smartphones, laptops, hard drives, processors, and memory chips. Most of these popular electronics aren’t made in the US anyway, so it makes sense.
What’s safe from the latest tariff wave? Here’s a quick rundown:
- AR and VR headsets
- Computer components such as GPUs
- Computer monitors
- Flash drives
- Laptops and desktop PCs
- Smart-home devices
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Solar panels
- Tablets
- Wi-Fi routers and other networking gear
But don’t get too comfortable just yet. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of devices at IDC, says these exemptions might not last. “This is a situation that is changing every day,” he says.
Will iPhone prices go up with tariffs?
For Donald Trump, having an iPhone made in the US would be a big deal. It’s one of the world’s most popular gadgets. It would also back up his tariffs and job promises. The problem? That’s not happening anytime soon. Apple just doesn’t have the factories, the workers, or the deep network of suppliers here to pull it off. In 2025, that kind of setup only exists in Asia. Instead of shifting production to the US, Apple’s putting its energy into India, where it can keep building iPhones and sidestep Chinese tariffs at the same time.
What products will be affected by tariffs?
Some electronics fall under customs codes that the USCBP didn’t mark as exempt. Think video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, portable handhelds, speakers, headphones, and earbuds like AirPods or HomePods. Oh, and health trackers like Oura or Whoop? They’re on the list, too.
Japanese Nintendo and Sony might bump up prices on their consoles because of US tariffs, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. You could end up paying up to 30% more. That means Nintendo Switch 2 or Sony’s PS5 Astro Bot bundle might cost around $590. Ouch!
If you’re a big Apple fan, you might be wondering how to still afford your favorite gadgets after the tariffs. Apple’s got production hubs in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia pumping out devices like Macs, AirPods, smartwatches, and iPads. Now, here’s where it gets a little wild. President Trump dropped a 90-day tariff pause for countries facing higher US tariffs—except China. In a surprising twist, Trump gave a break to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. As long as they don’t retaliate against US tariffs, they’ll only deal with a 10% blanket tariff until July. Sweet deal, right?
Making products like iMacs and iPads, which get frequent updates, might be a bit easier to shift around. Apple’s already assembling Mac Pro desktops in Texas, which is awesome. But here’s the catch—most of those parts still come from China.
How will tariffs affect NVIDIA?
People often ask me why everyone’s talking about NVIDIA. Honestly, it’s pretty simple. Whether you’re using ChatGPT or one of its competitors, most of them rely on NVIDIA chips. In fact, NVIDIA sells about 92% of the artificial intelligence accelerators that power chatbots. That’s part of the reason why NVIDIA’s stock has skyrocketed in recent years, jumping over 1,000% since 2020. However, US tariffs have added some complications.
Tariff drama alone has slashed NVIDIA’s market value by hundreds of billions. Trump hasn’t backed off either. They are still going after semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports with new fees and regulations. Meanwhile, TSMC, NVIDIA’s main chip supplier, is putting about $100 billion into new production facilities in the US. It reminds me of what Apple did a while back. The Apple CEO made a $1 million inauguration donation to Trump and promised a $500 billion investment in the US. That move paid off, letting Apple dodge some harsh import charges that could’ve made iPhones way more expensive. With all that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if President Trump worked out a similar deal with NVIDIA.
Parting thoughts
I feel better knowing some of my favorite gadgets won’t see huge price jumps. But it’s clear that not everything is off the hook. Just remember, things can shift fast—so stay tuned for updates!