Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs • Hacker News Board

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

#171

Post by 01100011 » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:15 PM UTC

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…

No. This reads as capitulation by Trump who is now finding out his long held, half-baked economic theories are wrong. Trump got spanked by the bond market and realized how weak his position was. He can't walk it all back overnight without appearing even weaker than he already is. He's going to slowly roll back most consequential tariffs to try to escape blame for damaging the economy.

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

#172

Post by joshuanapoli » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:18 PM UTC

foogazi wrote: post #162

joshuanapoli wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Where do you see the populism in favoring Apple, Nvidia, Dell ?

The exclusion is by category: Smartphones, laptop computers, memory chips, machines used to create semiconductors, flat screen TVs, tablets and desktop computers. Apple, NVidia, and Dell are simply examples of some companies that will “benefit” (be harmed less).

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

#173

Post by ojbyrne » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:18 PM UTC

redserk wrote: post #135

jader201 wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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 Note that this is not an exemption for companies, but an exemption for goods: > A new list of goods to be exempted from the latest round of tariffs on U.S. importers was released, and it includes smartphones, PCs, servers, and other technology goods, many…

It isn’t really cheap or easy to build a PC or smartphone business with name recognition… Nor is it cheap or easy to build a company that would likely be able to appeal tariff exemptions…

It’s exactly as easy or cheap to build a smartphone or PC business as it was a month ago. The headline is misleading.

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

#174

Post by fells » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:19 PM UTC

inverted_flag wrote: post #103

I’ve noticed that the pro-trump posters have been quiet on this site recently, pretty funny.

Because, in reality, they voted for his regressive cultural policies, not his regressive economic policies.

Though in November I'm sure they were telling us how good he would be on the economic front.

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

#175

Post by pseudalopex » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:20 PM UTC

spwa4 wrote: post #108

rescripting wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn’t advanced negotiation tactics, it’s mafia style negotiation tactics, which are 100% in character. See the law firms now providing him with 100s of millions in pro bono work to avoid punitive executive orders.

They never mentioned if they are providing "him" - as in the US government, or "him" as in Donald Trump, 100s of millions in pro Bono work ...

Articles said causes supported by Trump.

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

#176

Post by aswanson » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:21 PM UTC

hackernewds wrote: post #109

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…

It opens up avenues to all sorts off oligarchy style bribery and lack of market competition. ultimately, the country will be looted, since the most successful businesses will not thrive on its merits

His crypto coin also allows anyone to bribe him anonymously. It's incredibly corrupt.

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

#177

Post by Spooky23 » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:22 PM UTC

jeswin wrote: post #166

I am among the few who think it might eventually prove itself a good idea. To start with, Europe has no good cards to play. Ultimately, Europe will side with the United States while it builds self-sufficiency on several fronts, especially defense. Europe also recognizes that the complete relocation of production capacity into China wasn't good in the long run; it's just that they had no ability to act on their own. T…

I think EU will be fine, it really depends on how much the US cares about advancing Russian interests.

Long game, the UK may transform into being a sort of vassal of the US, assuming it survives as an entity. The EU interest may align more with China. If the US is de-empathizing NATO, they need a counterweight to the Russia/US axis.

It's the end of pax americana, and the future is more uncertain.

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

#178

Post by aswanson » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:22 PM UTC

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…

Exactly. I hope our government can survive the next 4 years for criminal investigations into this era. We can't become Russia.

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

#179

Post by codedokode » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:23 PM UTC

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…

Can we use Occam's Razor and assume that nobody knows what would be the optimal tariff rates and if you don't have a reliable mathematical model the only choice you are left with is experimentation and A/B tests.

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

#180

Post by walterbell » Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 4:24 PM UTC

Per Bloomberg, 20% fentanyl tariff on China still applies and these categories may yet receive their own unique tariff, https://archive.is/jKupW

The exemption categories include components and assembled products, https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3db9e5...

  8471       ADP (Automatic Data Processing) Machines: PCs, servers, terminals.
  8473.30    Parts for ADPs: keyboards, peripherals, printers.
  8486       Machines for producing semiconductors & ICs: wafer fab, lithography.
  8517.13    Mobile phones and smartphones.
  8517.62    Radios, router, modems.
  8523.51    Radio/TV broadcasting equipment.
  8524       2-way radios.
  8528.52    Computer monitors and projectors (no TVs).

  8541.10    Diodes, transistors and similar electronic components
  8541.21    LEDs
  8541.29    Photodiodes and non-LED diodes
  8541.30    Transistors
  8541.49.10 Other semiconductors that emit light
  8541.49.70 Optoelectronics: light sensors, solar cells
  8541.49.80 Photoresistors
  8541.49.95 Other semiconductor devices
  8541.51.00 LEDs for displays
  8541.59.00 Other specialized semiconductor devices
  8541.90.00 Semiconductor parts: interconnects, packaging, assembly
  8542       Electronic ICs

Industrial-scale workarounds were developed for previous tariffs, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43652823. Such loopholes will need to be addressed in any new trade agreements.