iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs

[Burger Thing]

Trump's presidency has always been about him first and is all about manipulating the stock markets. It was no different to his first one when he started the trade wars with China and one single tweet would send the markets up or down.

He and all his spineless bootlickers like JD or insane media outlets like FOX and its staff would deserve a few years hammering rocks in a quarry.

He can't even fold an umbrella properly but sure, he can solve a conflict with China.

 

[ThailandToo]

First, this exception applies to all brands of products in these categories. Second, manufacturers will not "eat" these tariffs– they will be passed on to consumers.

In the long term they will be passed to consumers but in the short term probably not. Maybe in a year or two for companies like Apple. They still have 20% on Chinese imports even though they got the exemption it’s still 20% for those electronics from China.

 

[Manzanito]

Good for apple, I guess, but that's not the way to run a country.

 

[Manzanito]

Sure. But where is then the win for Trump? No manufacturing will be shifted, no tariffs will be collected. What did he just gain? Please provide the pro tip on that.

Attention, that's what he gained.

 

[Ctrlos]

I feel for the American citizens caught up in all this. Regardless of whether you voted for him or not, nobody wants economic uncertainty on a weekly basis.

The long-term danger is the uncertainty of the USA as a trade partner at all. Globalisation cannot be unpicked, regardless of what other countries tell their citizens. Brexit turned out to be a lame duck for a reason.

There is a very real chance of the EU inviting other areas, such as the TPP, G20, Mercosur, Canada etc into creating a global customs union with negotiated standards at the core. For those that don’t know a customs union is a not-quite free trade area with a flat rate tariff amongst member states.

The USA might get an invite but I don’t see the current leadership RSVPing any time soon. The US cannot be frozen out of world trade but beyond Silicon Valley services there isn’t much it exports the rest of the world cannot find elsewhere.

 

[Populus]

No you have it wrong. He is playing reverse 12 dimensional chess, and 5 dimensional Go in alternating dimensions. Only a STABLE GENIUS can ponder the level of GENIUSNESS.

View attachment 2501482

What AI image generator have you used? Because that one looks so great, realistic, and with good image quality, that doesn’t look like Dall-e.

Is it Grok?

 

[votdfak]

I don't feel for American citizens because USA is spending trillions of dollars on military to "protect" American soil and citizens just to leave those same citizens on the streets dying if they cannot afford health care.

 

[Dutch60]

The fearmongering in this thread is rather amusing to read

Do you also find the lethargic reaction on Trump policies in US society amusing?

 

[Quasselstripper]

What, no other Apple CEO could have given Trump $1,000,000?

That’s probably not the only thing that Tim did. That was just what we saw.

 

[Dutch60]

Everything is going to end up in the Supreme Court. And that’s already getting a little "iffy”.

Right…"iffy".

In general, I consider that the most dangerous development in US politics at the moment. Criticising prosecutors, lawyers and even judges. Basically criticizing the whole legal system. And then ofcourse trying to replace those "very bad" judges who dare to withstand orders from the Trump administration. Judges who simply apply US law (!). And yes,….ofcourse very bad laws that also should and will be changed. Formally illegal actions will become 100% legal by this.

And then there is the press…."bad" reports are getting scapegoated, punished, exiled, prosecuted, etc. It will not take long before the average citizen will hear and see only one voice….glorifying Trump and his fellow criminals. Then that will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (where did I hear that before?), and that's exactly how it works in Russia, North Korea, etc.

If this process continues, the USA will very rapidly turn into a 100% dictatorship. Checks and balances?? Will not exist anymore. And that can all already have taken place before next years mid terms.
I only wish US citizens would worry more about this than the price of iPhones or other electronics.
Will the lethargy and fear be replaced by a massive uprising/uproar? I can only hope, but I guess too many are busy with their personal life. I do not feel any urgency in US society at the moment. Even Congress is quiet and seems to have turned into a group of anxious yes-men. Afraid to step on any wrong toes.

This all may seem like a very dreary prospect, and maybe too much so. But processes are taking place while we speak. Day in day out, and at the moment I don't see any (massive) signs that indicate a more positive development.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[bsolar]

I feel for the American citizens caught up in all this. Regardless of whether you voted for him or not, nobody wants economic uncertainty on a weekly basis.

"Caught up" is a difficult concept to apply to those who are in fact ultimately responsible for what is happening.

The power belongs to those same citizens and they collectively decided to give the president authority to exercise it. Said power still belongs to the citizens though and they are still ultimately responsible for how it's being used.

You can delegate authority, but you cannot delegate responsibility.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Right…"iffy".

In general, I consider that the most dangerous development in US politics at the moment. Criticising prosecutors, lawyers and even judges. Basically criticizing the whole legal system. And then ofcourse trying to replace those "very bad" judges who dare to withstand orders from the Trump administration. Judges who simply apply US law (!). And yes,….ofcourse very bad laws that also should and will be changed. Formally illegal actions will become 100% legal by this.

And then there is the press…."bad" reports are getting scapegoated, punished, exiled, prosecuted, etc. It will not take long before the average citizen will hear and see only one voice….glorifying Trump and his fellow criminals. Then that will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (where did I hear that before?), and that's exactly how it works in Russia, North Korea, etc.

If this process continues, the USA will very rapidly turn into a 100% dictatorship. Checks and balances?? Will not exist anymore. And that can all already have taken place before next years mid terms.
I only wish US citizens would worry more about this than the price of iPhones or other electronics.
Will the lethargy and fear be replaced by a massive uprising/uproar? I can only hope, but I guess too many are busy with their personal life. I do not feel any urgency in US society at the moment. Even Congress is quiet and seems to have turned into a group of anxious yes-men. Afraid to step on any wrong toes.

This all may seem like a very dreary prospect, and maybe too much so. But processes are taking place while we speak. Day in day out, and at the moment I don't see any (massive) signs that indicate a more positive development.

I hope I'm wrong.

Very well stated and sadly, 100% accurate.

 

[bsolar]

This all may seem like a very dreary prospect, and maybe too much so. But processes are taking place while we speak. Day in day out, and at the moment I don't see any (massive) signs that indicate a more positive development.

I hope I'm wrong.

You only need a quick look at history to see that the prospect, while dreary, needs to be taken very seriously.

IMHO the most dangerous aspect is how prominent "cult of personality" has become in US politics. People should always remember that representatives are not "heroes": they are a necessary evil that need to be constantly kept in check.

 

[10anta]

There’s two reasons you might use tariffs:
1) To raise revenues for the government
2) To dissuade importing from a specific country/promote on shoring of production

If you exempt the goods people actually import then you achieve neither.

What the US government really need to do is set out a longer term strategy that businesses and consumers can logically respond to - at the minute it’s just chaos.

 

[Velli]

You’re quoting the Economist numbers I assume. Sadly that’s slightly misleading since it’s versus his peak, and he did get the usual inauguration bounce. He’s only down a few points from Election Day which is just bonkers. That said, it’s a clear downward trend, and public opinion tends to lag all events except those that are catastrophic.

I will admit I just googled and took the first graph that looked factual. But yes, the actual downturn won’t come until consumers feel it on their wallet. I wonder if the pause on electronics is due to lobbying from his newfound friends, CEO’s of tech companies, or due to a realisation the tech products is an emotionally important product for people, and might lead to a strong downturn in support.

In any case, it’s a clear sign of weak leadership when you make a controversial decision that anyone can predict will cause backlash, and then backtrack when the backlash comes. Any leader (In politics or in business) will be in a weaker position after that, and it is 100% predictable of you are remotely competent. You should not be commended for the willingness to backtrack, you should be criticised for making the wrong call in the first place.

 

[mw360]

You only need a quick look at history to see that the prospect, while dreary, needs to be taken very seriously.

IMHO the most dangerous aspect is how prominent "cult of personality" has become in US politics. People should always remember that representatives are not "heroes": they are a necessary evil that need to be constantly kept in check.

Yup, Trumpism is a dangerous cult. It's not the only cult right now--there's a few other reality-denying things going on across the spectrum--but Trumpism is the big one. And it will end in a Saddam or Putin-like dictatorship if he isn't stopped.

For the few posters here hopelessly insisting this Tarriff chaos is all part of the plan. Here's 10 signs you're in a cult taken from this site. It's an easy 8/10 for general Trump supporters, 10/10 for cabinet members. And the last one is hilariously on the nose.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without accountability
2. Zero tolerance for criticism or questions
3. Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget
4. Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions
5. A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave
6. Abuse of members
7. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group
8. Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”
9. A belief that the leader is right at all times
10. A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation

 

[Reverend Benny]

 

[Adamj53]

What about accessory’s such as Apple cases which are made in China? They can probably absorb the cost though as they probably cost about $2 max to make.

 

[vegetassj4]

This clown literally said he would make decisions “instinctively”. At least he isn’t consulting a magic rainbow unicorn?

“Earlier this week, Trump said he would consider excluding US companies from his tariffs, but added that such decisions would be made “instinctively.””

After market tumult, Trump exempts smartphones from massive new tariffs

Some consumer electronics are also exempted in a major boost to Big Tech.

arstechnica.com

 

[sdz]

reshore coffee and cotton production and off shore high value production hahahaha bravo usa

 

[Richard8655]

I think this is what it's like to live in Russia. The oligarch in charge makes all the decisions with no accountability, checks, or balances. Fear rules the country. The price of goods and services are now dictated. We elected him in ignorance, now we pay the price.

 

[vegetassj4]

I think this is what it's like to live in Russia. The oligarch in charge makes all the decisions with no accountability, checks, or balances. Fear rules the country. The price of goods and services are now dictated. We elected him in ignorance, now we pay the price.

Nah. We elected him knowing full well what he is. Adjudicated cheat, liar, scammer and sexual assaulter. Big self own. VERY HUGE. SOME SAY THE HUGEST SELF OWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY, Maybe even the world. But hey, the libs got owned, and we get to look down on some people.

Not to mention China cutting off even more exports of rare earth minerals to the US (which are vital to the defense industry among others)

 

[addamas]

From European perspective it's like this:

 

[citysnaps]

Brilliant, not really. He just did what Zuckerberg and others did. Cook was not the first. He simply gave the same amount as others did, after some of them did so. Again, he was not a leader.

It's not a competition as to who was first. He did what he needed to do and Apple's 2+ Billion active customers will continue to purchase iPhones and computers without having to pay for new tariffs. And keep Apple being one of the most successful tech companies in the world.

It's bewildering so many people live to dislike Cook, day after day after day. It appears many do so annoyed by Apple's and his success.

 

[SkydiveGuy]

Everyone was panicking and I knew it would never happen.
These tariffs are to bring manufacturing choice back to the USA.
The USA cant possibly make these things and it would have been a huge problem for many companies (not just Apple) that would take years to get production ramped up in the USA. But even then, the cost of employee healthcare would be prohibitive to do in the USA.
Now, companies like Lululemon that make all their clothing in Vietnam when the USA has many closing manufacturers ready to ramp up production? Absolutely. The margin on clothing is very high and they can still make a good profit making them in the USA (and be able to proudly boast "made in the USA" which could help with their sales with some folks that insist on "buying American").