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Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

bloomberg.com

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Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#141

Post by tobias3 »

stefan_ wrote: post #117
cinbun8 wrote: post #30

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s difficult to discern any coherent U.S. strategy—assuming one even exists. One day it’s a 145% tariff on China. The next, it’s “Well, it’s still 145%, but Apple and Nvidia are exempted because their stock prices might take a hit.” Then comes a 90-day pause, adding to the confusion. It’s not clear whether Jamieson Greer is actually steering this, or if any of it was thoroughly thoug…

Import Chinese battery: 145% tariff Import Chinese battery inside Chinese laptop: 20% tariff Import Chinese battery inside Vietnamese laptop: 0% tariff Truly this will bring back American manufacturing!

The factories will be disassembling the laptops, taking out the batteries. Then the empty laptops will be sent back to China. That will increase exports to China as well.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#142

Post by sitkack »

unclebucknasty wrote: post #80
jonplackett wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the only explanation that has made sense to me so far. And it makes even more sense based on these exemptions. https://www.instagram.com/share/_jW_V1hwM This is Senator Chris Murphy explaining it’s not economic policy, it’s an attempt to blackmail corporations into submission by making a deal with him in return for sanctions relief. Keep an eye out for what Apple and nvidia might have agreed to give.

It's exactly what it is. And, the seemingly haphazard, unpredictable nature of it is a feature, serving as perfect cover: "Why these exemptions?" "Who knows? None of it makes sense." But, of course, it does. It's also consistent with other, publicly-wielded cudgels, like the law-firm extortions under threat of executive orders.

People should be more alarmed of these law firms, they will be used as his private army.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#143

Post by alabastervlog »

_Algernon_ wrote: post #46
cinbun8 wrote: post #30

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s difficult to discern any coherent U.S. strategy—assuming one even exists. One day it’s a 145% tariff on China. The next, it’s “Well, it’s still 145%, but Apple and Nvidia are exempted because their stock prices might take a hit.” Then comes a 90-day pause, adding to the confusion. It’s not clear whether Jamieson Greer is actually steering this, or if any of it was thoroughly thoug…

If there is a strategy it is probably dominating the news cycle with this chaotic bullshit, while they navigate towards the real goal in the shadows.

It's not in the shadows, they're breaking everything that can oppose them to try to make the US an autocracy. It's right out in the open.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#144

Post by joshuanapoli »

nabla9 wrote: post #127
perihelions wrote: post #59

This reads to me as "we're doubling-down on 145%+ tariffs for everyone else". This is getting frighteningly close to a Russian-style economy. As in, a handful of powerful, connected "insiders" will be allowed to operate businesses, and will dominate... while everyone else gets wiped out, by acts of government. The furthest system possible from the free-market paradigm that built the American economy as it stands toda…

This reeks "pay to play" very typical for banana republics. Donations to presidential inauguration fund to get access to the president was already tradition in the US. Trump government just exploits it without shame.

This is a populism move, not pay-to-play. The imminent reality would have been this: many Americans will want to take a vacation to Canada to get a deal on their phone. That just doesn’t make sense.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#146

Post by sitkack »

giarc wrote: post #52
victor106 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are right. Do you think all the tech CEO’s attended his inauguration for nothing? I never imagined I would see such public corruption in any western country. I am saying this as someone who supported some the current administrations agenda

The inauguration donations are pretty common across all parties, I think the Trump coin launching the day prior was the most corrupt.

The whole idea of an inauguration donation is gross. No president should accept, and no one should offer.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#147

Post by Spooky23 »

perihelions wrote: post #59

This reads to me as "we're doubling-down on 145%+ tariffs for everyone else". This is getting frighteningly close to a Russian-style economy. As in, a handful of powerful, connected "insiders" will be allowed to operate businesses, and will dominate... while everyone else gets wiped out, by acts of government. The furthest system possible from the free-market paradigm that built the American economy as it stands toda…

We're building a hybrid of Italian Fascist and a Argentinian Peronist like state.

The desire for transactional wins and power overshadows all. Trump will unironically ally himself with a turd like Elon, or a turd like the UAW dude who glazed him on "Liberation Day". The state control of business is missing... perhaps we'll see that develop with Tesla.

It's a weird movement, because the baseline assumption is that the country is ruined. So any marginal win is celebrated, any loss is "priced in" politically.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#148

Post by koolba »

joshuanapoli wrote: post #144
nabla9 wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reeks "pay to play" very typical for banana republics. Donations to presidential inauguration fund to get access to the president was already tradition in the US. Trump government just exploits it without shame.

This is a populism move, not pay-to-play. The imminent reality would have been this: many Americans will want to take a vacation to Canada to get a deal on their phone. That just doesn’t make sense.

> many Americans will want to take a vacation to Canada to get a deal on their phone. That just doesn’t make sense.

If they’re following the law they’d have to declare the purchase when they come home.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#149

Post by grandempire »

giarc wrote: post #57

Smartphones getting exemptions? Didn't the administration talk about how American's would be tightening screws on iPhones as they brought back these jobs? I'm starting to think they don't know what they are doing.... /s

Are the tariffs good or bad?

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#150

Post by sidvit »

techpineapple wrote: post #3

Wasn’t Howard Lutnick on TV recently explicitly saying they wanted to bring iPhone assembly here? How is one to understand the union of these two perspectives? https://fortune.com/2025/04/07/howard-lutnick-iphones-americ...

Howard Lutnick got pulled from the TV sidelines over stuff like this apparently. Bessent is running the show now which is probably why they’re actually responding to the bond market punching them in the face this week
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