Reference Message Network reported on April 14 that the website of the "Nikkei Asian Review" published an article titled "US-China 'Reciprocal Tariffs' Exclude Smartphones and Semiconductor Equipment - The US Finally Compromised in the Face of Technological Reality". The article is excerpted as follows:
The Trump administration has excluded products such as smartphones and semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the "reciprocal tariff" scope. Before initiating negotiations with China, Trump compromised under pressure from domestic technology companies. This ad hoc policy ultimately failed to overcome the reality of the global supply chain.
Statistics show that in 2024, the United States imported $119.1 billion worth of computers and electronic equipment (including non-exempt products) from China. According to analysis by Capital Economics, the goods granted tariff exemptions account for approximately 23% of China's total exports to the U.S., covering the majority of electronic devices exported from China to the U.S.
The U.S. has a high dependence on China in terms of smartphones and computers, and price increases will have a significant impact on consumers. iPhones account for about 60% of the market share in the U.S., and almost all models sold in the U.S. are assembled in China. High tariffs would directly affect this market.
The exemption measures also reflect the lack of practical feasibility for returning iPhone production to the U.S.
White House Press Secretary Leavitt emphasized that "the U.S. has the labor force and resources to produce iPhones." However, even if iPhones were assembled in the U.S., most components would still be made in China. Some experts point out that if produced in the U.S., the cost would nearly double due to labor costs and tariffs. (Translated by Ma Xiaoyun)
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7492985512606335525/
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