If you've been thinking about buying new tech gadgets, you might want to do it soon. President Trump's new tariffs on Chinese goods could make the small stuff you buy all the time - like charging cables, earbuds, and portable chargers - a lot more expensive.
What Tech Products Are Protected (For Now)
On April 11, Trump announced that some electronics won't face the huge 145% tariffs that apply to most other Chinese imports. The protected items include
- Smartphones (good news for iPhone lovers!)
- Computers and laptops
- Computer monitors
- Data storage devices
- Computer mice and keyboards
- Certain electronic components
This is a big relief for companies like Apple, which makes most of its money from iPhone sales and does a lot of manufacturing in China. In fact, Apple made about $69 billion from iPhone sales out of its total $124 billion revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
But don't get too comfortable. Trump posted on Truth Social that "NOBODY is getting 'off the hook'" when it comes to tariffs. These products are just in a "different tariff bucket" while the government looks at the "whole electronics supply chain."
The Small Stuff Will Get More Expensive First
While your next smartphone or laptop might be safe from huge price hikes for now, the little tech items you buy more often will likely get more expensive soon.
Dave Marcotte, a senior VP and analyst at Kantar, explains it well: "I think the first things you're going to see are the stuff we don't really pay attention to, like... USB chargers and batteries and stuff that's less than, say, $20 or $25. It's going to be the small stuff."
Why is the small stuff hit hardest? There are a few reasons:
- Smaller companies making these accessories don't have the supply chain flexibility of giants like Apple
- Profit margins on cheaper items are much lower, so companies can't absorb tariff costs
- Many of these products come directly from China
- The "de minimis exemption" that allowed packages under $800 to enter the US tax-free has been eliminated
When looking at Amazon's top results for earbuds under $50, iPhone charging cables, and portable battery packs, many products come directly from China or Chinese manufacturers.
Price Increases Will Feel More Dramatic on Cheaper Items
When prices go up due to tariffs, the change will feel more extreme on lower-priced items. As Jack Leathem, an analyst at Canalys, points out, "A $40 increase to an $80 increase looks a lot worse for a consumer than, say, a $1,200 to $1,500."
Think about it - if your $15 charging cable suddenly costs $30, that's a 100% increase! But if your $1,000 smartphone goes up to $1,200, that's only a 20% increase, even though the actual dollar amount is much higher.
Tech Companies Are Rushing to Ship Products Now
With tariff uncertainty looming, tech companies are trying to get ahead of potential price increases by shipping as many products as possible to the US now.
Francisco Jeronimo from the International Data Corporation explains, "It's completely impossible for any company to plan. So the best, the only thing they can do at the moment is... ship as many products as they can while the exemption lasts to the US."
We're already seeing this happen:
- Apple's India-based suppliers shipped a record number of iPhones to the US in March (nearly $2 billion worth)
- PC shipments grew by 12.6% in the US during the first quarter of 2025 as companies increased shipments ahead of potential tariffs
- The US smartphone market grew more than 5% in the first quarter of 2025, partly driven by consumers' "sense of urgency to buy before potential price increases."
Nintendo even postponed US preorders for its new Switch 2 game console in early April while it figures out how to handle the tariff situation.
More Tariffs Are Coming for Semiconductors
Even though some electronics got a break from the reciprocal tariffs, new tariffs on semiconductors (the chips that power electronic devices) are expected soon. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC News that these new tariffs will arrive in the "next month or two."
This is part of Trump's broader plan to reduce US reliance on China and bring manufacturing back to America. But many experts doubt that complex electronics production will move entirely to the US.
Kevin Hassett, national economic council director, said that "it was always the case" that semiconductors would be covered under a separate action rather than reciprocal tariffs.
Will We See American-Made iPhones?
While the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump believes iPhone production could move to the US, experts are skeptical. Higher labor costs and the logistics of moving Apple's massive production network present major challenges.
It's not just about the components - finding enough skilled workers would be difficult too.
"It's very hard to find skilled labor in the numbers they need," says Jeronimo.
Apple did announce a $500 billion investment to expand its US operations in February, but that's mainly focused on building production facilities for Apple Intelligence servers and boosting education in manufacturing, not building iPhones.
While tech giants like TSMC and Nvidia have announced major US expansions, the tech supply chain is largely expected to remain in China, with some production possibly shifting to regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
How to Plan Your Tech Purchases
With all this uncertainty, how should consumers plan their tech purchases? Here are some tips:
- If you need small accessories like charging cables, earbuds, or portable battery packs, consider buying them soon before potential price increases hit
- For bigger purchases like smartphones and laptops that are currently exempt, you might have a little more time, but keep an eye on the news about semiconductor tariffs
- Look for products that are made outside of China if you want to avoid tariff-related price increases
- Consider whether you can repair existing tech instead of replacing it
- Watch for sales as retailers try to move inventory ahead of potential tariffs
As Dipanjan Chatterjee from Forrester Research wisely notes, "You stockpile during a hurricane because it happens for five days. There is no pantry in the world that's large enough where you can stockpile four years' worth of trade policy uncertainty."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tech products are exempt from Trump's 145% tariffs on Chinese goods?
Smartphones, computers (laptops and desktops), monitors, storage devices, computer mice, keyboards, and certain electronic components are currently exempt from the reciprocal tariffs.
Which tech products will likely get more expensive due to tariffs?
Lower-cost items like USB charging cables, earbuds, portable battery packs, and other accessories under $25 are expected to see price increases first since they're not covered by the current exemptions.
When will the tariffs on semiconductors start?
According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, new tariffs on semiconductors are expected in the "next month or two" from mid-April 2025.
Will iPhones be made in America because of these tariffs?
While the White House suggests iPhone production could move to the US, experts are skeptical due to higher labor costs, difficulty finding enough skilled workers, and the complex logistics of moving Apple's supply chain.
How long will the exemptions for smartphones and computers last?
The duration of the exemptions is unclear. President Trump has indicated that "NOBODY is getting 'off the hook'" regarding tariffs, suggesting that these exemptions may be temporary while the administration reviews the entire electronics supply chain.
What happened to the "de minimis exemption" for packages under $800?
Trump eliminated the "de minimis exemption" that previously allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the US tax-free, which will affect many small tech accessories ordered directly from Chinese sellers.