Trump Plans Semiconductor Tariffs, Targeting Phones and Laptops

Just days after electronics and computers were temporarily exempted from tariffs, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new duties on semiconductors and the entire electronics supply chain—a move that could once again hit smartphones, laptops, and other tech products with significant costs.

Tariffs On, Then Off, Then On Again

Over the weekend, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection briefly exempted certain Chinese goods—including semiconductors, smartphones, laptops, and flat-panel display modules—from Trump's sweeping tariff program. These goods were spared from the administration's broader 145% tariff on Chinese imports and a 10% global tariff applied to most other trading partners.

But the pause was short-lived.

In an interview on ABC News’ This Week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that the exemption was only temporary, and that those products would soon be covered under a new round of semiconductor-specific tariffs. Later that day, Trump took to Truth Social to emphasize that no permanent exceptions had been granted, especially not to China.

“NOBODY is getting 'off the hook' for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers... especially not China,” Trump wrote. “There was no Tariff 'exception' announced on Friday.”

Trump added that smartphones and laptops remain subject to what he calls the 20% "Fentanyl Tariffs", and that these goods would be moved into a “different tariff bucket” as part of the semiconductor strategy.

Electronics Supply Chain Under Scrutiny

Trump’s post also previewed a broader effort: a National Security Tariff Investigation that will focus on semiconductors and the full electronics supply chain. While specific tariff details haven’t been released, the administration is signaling aggressive policy shifts that could reshape global tech sourcing and pricing.

A recent analysis by UBS Investment Research suggested that tariffs at their current levels could dramatically increase retail prices. For instance, an iPhone 16 Pro Max (256 GB)—currently priced at $1,199—could climb to $1,874 under the proposed tariff structure.

What This Means

Tech companies that briefly breathed a sigh of relief now face renewed uncertainty. Trump’s pivot toward semiconductor-specific tariffs could drastically reshape pricing and supply strategies for smartphones, laptops, and consumer electronics.

If implemented, these tariffs could trigger a new wave of supply chain realignments, higher consumer prices, and intensify the tech trade standoff between the U.S. and China.

As economic nationalism rises, the next battle in the AI era may be fought not in the cloud—but on the circuit board.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.