Very well stated!
Sounds of 1940's and Hitler all over again.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Sounds of 1940's and Hitler all over again.
There are many good analyses of Trump’s behavior in the media. But the most accurate description of how the President of the United States operates comes from Professor of Political Science at Aarhus University, Derek Beach: “It’s like playing chess with a seagull. The seagull knocks over the pieces, craps on the board, and flies home to tell everyone it won.” It’s hard to put it better than that.
Part of the way Trump works to keep the outrage down is to relax his bad policies in ways like this that will prop up the economy and stock market. IOW, if people see that their retirement savings are sound they will be less likely to protest and more likely to let Trump get away with his other corrupt BS. I fully expect that excepting phones and computers from the tariffs will help Apple and hence the stock market because of Apple's outsize share of the S&P. That should also help my retirement investements. I still plan to attend the protest here next weekend one way or the other but I share your skepticism that enough people will stay sufficiently outraged if their personal situations are not jeopardized.
Last edited:
Well, Tim did 'donate' $1mil of his 'personal' money to the Inauguration. Between that and his genuflecting, it's nice Trump has (at least for today) thrown him a bone.
Hmmmm they forgot to include a mooch/5 in the posted tariff equation for the length of time before policy changes
11 days / 5 =2.2 days
11 days / 5 =2.2 days
US tech tariff exemption may only be temporary, says Lutnick
Last edited:
This chaos is what you get when you elect a government that rules by the whims of arrogant, ignorant fools. And if this gets me suspended for speaking the truth, so be it!
So the Commerce Secretary said that these exemptions are temporary. He said that electronics and pharmaceuticals will be covered in a separate tariff coming in a month or two. He couldn't answer when asked why they were tariffed originally or why they were made exempt later given that they still fully plan to put tariffs on them. The fact is there is no plan just various people with various ideas that get suddenly implemented and just as suddenly removed.
Great, so we have another opportunity to get jerked around in a couple months. LOL. Buckle up folks, we have 3 1/2 more years of this constant chaos to endure. It's like the worst reality show ever came to be IRL.
For Apple and others it would be like me holding a knife to your throat and telling you to continue to go about your work.
Gurman says in his power on newsletter, that iPhone production is not coming back to the USA.
I suspect that these exceptions are a reprieve and Apple will need to be working very hard behind the scenes to bring some sort of production line to the USA.
When Gurman says 'it's impossible' I suspect that it means:
'it's impossible with the designs that Apple comes up with and them being used to their manufacturing partners simply throwing bodies to assemble them'.
I find it hard to believe that automation of some sort can't produce the iPhone if it designed from the ground up to be assembled in that way.
I suspect that these exceptions are a reprieve and Apple will need to be working very hard behind the scenes to bring some sort of production line to the USA.
When Gurman says 'it's impossible' I suspect that it means:
'it's impossible with the designs that Apple comes up with and them being used to their manufacturing partners simply throwing bodies to assemble them'.
I find it hard to believe that automation of some sort can't produce the iPhone if it designed from the ground up to be assembled in that way.
I'm not American, but well said.
As you say, I wonder how many Americans - and Europeans! - truly understand that our addiction to getting consumer goods for less - and our companies getting juicy profit margins - is helping China bootstrap its way to challenging America and perhaps superseding it to being the world's dominant power.
But we'll have reasonably priced consumer electronics so that will be OK, right?
From the German press (translated)...
What Trump doesn't realize: Everything is at stake for Xi and the party
It's an escalation the likes of which has never been seen before, to use Trump-speak. The US president has effectively declared a trade war on China by imposing ludicrously high tariffs. Following his failed attack on the global trading system, Trump has stylized Beijing as his main opponent. However, there will be no quick deal as he envisions it. Trump's tariffs are a direct attack on Xi Jinping's power. Everything is at stake for the Communist Party.
Despite the tariff escalation, the low point between the superpowers is far from being reached. Washington could force Chinese companies to withdraw from the US stock exchange or cut off China's banks' access to the US dollar. Beijing would have the option of ordering the sale of US government bonds or further tightening its export controls on rare earths.The collapse of economic relations would pose a threat to the entire world. Washington has been at odds with almost every country since April. But while the USA and Europe are linked by common interests - whether Trump sees them or not - the relationship with China is based almost exclusively on economic interests. Bilateral trade is the last common foundation. If it breaks down, there is no basis for cooperation. On climate, health, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The less dialog, the greater the risk of misunderstandings. Washington already cut exchange programs during Trump's first term in office. And Beijing is also pulling back. Chinese diplomats find it difficult to read other countries correctly. Domestically, the political hardening is progressing. Mediating contacts? Hardly any more.
Beijing feels vindicated by Trump's tariffs. Washington - in China's view - is not interested in fair trade, but in stopping China's rise. Trump's tone awakens a national trauma: as early as the 19th century, foreign powers dictated the terms of trade to China. The beginning of the “century of humiliation”. Today, Xi Jinping promises the Chinese that he will protect them from foreign encroachment through national strength. A deal with Trump that looks like a capitulation is therefore unthinkable for Xi.
On the one hand, it is curious when China complains to the World Trade Organization about US tariffs. Beijing itself has been violating trade rules for years, using loopholes and gaining competitive advantages through subsidies and product piracy. At the same time, Trump is failing to explain his actions against China; his trade policy stance remains ill-conceived, chaotic and isolating.
Head of state Xi, on the other hand, exudes calm. He has learned from the customs conflict in 2018: dependence on an economic partner is dangerous. Since then, the country has sharpened its tools: export controls, new trading partners, less dependence on US imports. And unrest among the population? It can be controlled, with force if necessary.
It's true, China's economy is already struggling. Real estate crisis, debt, weak consumption. Countermeasures such as the devaluation of the yuan are also likely to have an impact on other partners. China's overcapacity is a growing problem worldwide. Beijing also needs international investors. The more selectively Beijing uses trade policy weapons such as export controls, the more visible it becomes for other countries how risky a high level of dependence on China can be.
But unlike Trump, China is pursuing a plan. In the trade dispute with Washington, Beijing may be losing money, but the USA lacks access to urgently needed goods. This explains why Trump has exempted certain electrical goods such as smartphones and computers from the tariffs.
Trump's threat is the loss of US market access. However, from China's perspective, the markets of the future have long been elsewhere, in Asia and Africa, for example. Beijing has established new trade routes and strengthened formats such as the Brics Group. The communist leadership is building bridges, while Trump is tearing them down - even with its closest allies. Instead of the global tariffs that Trump dreams of, China is sparing developing countries completely. And is promoting free trade.
Beijing is not ruling out negotiations with the USA either. But there is one thing Trump does not seem to understand. The Communist Party legitimizes its rule with China's economic rise. Trump's tariffs hit them at their core. Throughout its history, the party has shown what it is prepared to do when it sees its power threatened. Trump could find out what this means in the coming weeks.
What Trump doesn't realize: Everything is at stake for Xi and the party
It's an escalation the likes of which has never been seen before, to use Trump-speak. The US president has effectively declared a trade war on China by imposing ludicrously high tariffs. Following his failed attack on the global trading system, Trump has stylized Beijing as his main opponent. However, there will be no quick deal as he envisions it. Trump's tariffs are a direct attack on Xi Jinping's power. Everything is at stake for the Communist Party.
Despite the tariff escalation, the low point between the superpowers is far from being reached. Washington could force Chinese companies to withdraw from the US stock exchange or cut off China's banks' access to the US dollar. Beijing would have the option of ordering the sale of US government bonds or further tightening its export controls on rare earths.The collapse of economic relations would pose a threat to the entire world. Washington has been at odds with almost every country since April. But while the USA and Europe are linked by common interests - whether Trump sees them or not - the relationship with China is based almost exclusively on economic interests. Bilateral trade is the last common foundation. If it breaks down, there is no basis for cooperation. On climate, health, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The less dialog, the greater the risk of misunderstandings. Washington already cut exchange programs during Trump's first term in office. And Beijing is also pulling back. Chinese diplomats find it difficult to read other countries correctly. Domestically, the political hardening is progressing. Mediating contacts? Hardly any more.
Beijing feels vindicated by Trump's tariffs. Washington - in China's view - is not interested in fair trade, but in stopping China's rise. Trump's tone awakens a national trauma: as early as the 19th century, foreign powers dictated the terms of trade to China. The beginning of the “century of humiliation”. Today, Xi Jinping promises the Chinese that he will protect them from foreign encroachment through national strength. A deal with Trump that looks like a capitulation is therefore unthinkable for Xi.
On the one hand, it is curious when China complains to the World Trade Organization about US tariffs. Beijing itself has been violating trade rules for years, using loopholes and gaining competitive advantages through subsidies and product piracy. At the same time, Trump is failing to explain his actions against China; his trade policy stance remains ill-conceived, chaotic and isolating.
Head of state Xi, on the other hand, exudes calm. He has learned from the customs conflict in 2018: dependence on an economic partner is dangerous. Since then, the country has sharpened its tools: export controls, new trading partners, less dependence on US imports. And unrest among the population? It can be controlled, with force if necessary.
It's true, China's economy is already struggling. Real estate crisis, debt, weak consumption. Countermeasures such as the devaluation of the yuan are also likely to have an impact on other partners. China's overcapacity is a growing problem worldwide. Beijing also needs international investors. The more selectively Beijing uses trade policy weapons such as export controls, the more visible it becomes for other countries how risky a high level of dependence on China can be.
But unlike Trump, China is pursuing a plan. In the trade dispute with Washington, Beijing may be losing money, but the USA lacks access to urgently needed goods. This explains why Trump has exempted certain electrical goods such as smartphones and computers from the tariffs.
Trump's threat is the loss of US market access. However, from China's perspective, the markets of the future have long been elsewhere, in Asia and Africa, for example. Beijing has established new trade routes and strengthened formats such as the Brics Group. The communist leadership is building bridges, while Trump is tearing them down - even with its closest allies. Instead of the global tariffs that Trump dreams of, China is sparing developing countries completely. And is promoting free trade.
Beijing is not ruling out negotiations with the USA either. But there is one thing Trump does not seem to understand. The Communist Party legitimizes its rule with China's economic rise. Trump's tariffs hit them at their core. Throughout its history, the party has shown what it is prepared to do when it sees its power threatened. Trump could find out what this means in the coming weeks.
Who is feeding who? The US print dollars and buy stuff from China. It looks like China is feed8ng the US to me.
It's the Tangerine Typhoon that's polarising people. The best thing he could do now is donate his brain to a recently affronted university and then immediately create the conditions for research to begin. No hurry; by the end of next week would be nice. And if Eyeliner Vance could join him in a jar of formaldehyde then all might be forgiven - in time.
Nice Timmothy Timy Tim Cook 😎😎😎😎
Apple and other electronics manufacturers have received a break from Trump's reciprocal tariffs, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency sharing a long list of products excluded from the levies last night.
iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices will not be subject to the 125 percent tariffs that have been put in place on imported Chinese goods, nor will Apple have to pay the 10 percent reciprocal tariffs that are in place for goods from other countries.
All manner of electronic devices have been exempted, including computer components such as GPUs from Nvidia, semiconductors and the equipment used to make them, SSDs, displays, many TVs, and more. Some other electronic devices including video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 are still subject to the tariffs.
As Bloomberg points out, the exemptions could be temporary and the Trump administration could be planning for new, lower tariffs on electronics and other goods from China. The order also does not exempt companies from the 20 percent "fentanyl" fee imposed on China, which was an earlier penalty, so there is still a fee that Apple will need to pay.
With the back and forth over tariffs and the 90-day pause Trump put in place in some countries, Apple stock has been volatile for the last week and has dropped more than 20 percent before recovering somewhat. As of market close yesterday, Apple's stock was down 11 percent from early April.
Update: This article previously stated that AirPods and HomePod were not covered by the exemptions, but it appears they in fact are.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Article Link: iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs
Im just going to go off on a bit of a Vent or Rant here and what ever happens happens. The idea that the tech industry tariffs arent permanent is a bunch of BS pure and simple.
Either we are doing this thing or we arent. This is worse then a toddler throwing a tantrum because he wants ice cream, now doesn't want it because someone else is getting more or a different flavor of ice cream, but now he wants it...i mean common....GROW THE HELL UP ALLREADY.
How these people ever managed to survive into adulthood and actually make money somehow, then get into the head of government is beyond my comprehension and its causing nothing but anxiety and fear the entire planet over because unlike them, most of us lowly pesants arent rich or wealthy. We dont have unlimited amounts of money to spend on items like phones and tablets and electronics or necessities like food and rent and gas!
I like the rest of you, dont have 5 billion dollars in the bank, and can spend money without abandon, not giving a crap if theres a tariff price increase or not.
These people have no clue what reality is. Honestly. The very concept of them having to budget between things like food, rent, medical bills, devices we want, etc....is an alien concept to them.
You want to know my personal definition of wealthy is? Being able to go into the Apple store, buy anything i want, regardless of the price, going wild with specs and what ever, and walking out with all these items, and not worrying how im going to pay this months rent or car insurance or food!
If i went crazy in an apple store buying wise, i doubt id spend over 50 Grand and thats getting every high end item i wanted.
I dont make that kind of money. I likely never will. These people likely make 50 Grand a day! To them a price increase is nothing to them. They go out and spend that kind of money on a dinner party with friends on a tuesday at some fancy pants restaurant on champaign!
Its pure greed to them. They don't care if the little people like us are having to pay though the nose, they are making money hand over fist and could care less if the rest of us starve as long as they make a few extra bucks in the process.
Are their problems with the current global finical system? Hell yes! Is this the way to fix it? Hell no. This one day we got tariffs the next day we dont, but in 90 days we might again...how is this leadership? Its nothing more then stock market pump and dump insider trading for them to get rich while destroying what little good standing we Americans have with the rest of the world.
Say what you will about Apple the company, and i got issues with them sure, BUT usually when they increase their price on something, you usually get something more for the cost...you get the value that comes with the price more or less.
This isnt apple just jacking up the prices with no additional value like Nintendo is doing now with the switch 2 (80 dollars for a digial game are you insane?)
This is Trump and his goons manipulating things because they are either too stupid to realize what they are doing...or scamming the system to get rich!
Either we are doing this thing or we arent. This is worse then a toddler throwing a tantrum because he wants ice cream, now doesn't want it because someone else is getting more or a different flavor of ice cream, but now he wants it...i mean common....GROW THE HELL UP ALLREADY.
How these people ever managed to survive into adulthood and actually make money somehow, then get into the head of government is beyond my comprehension and its causing nothing but anxiety and fear the entire planet over because unlike them, most of us lowly pesants arent rich or wealthy. We dont have unlimited amounts of money to spend on items like phones and tablets and electronics or necessities like food and rent and gas!
I like the rest of you, dont have 5 billion dollars in the bank, and can spend money without abandon, not giving a crap if theres a tariff price increase or not.
These people have no clue what reality is. Honestly. The very concept of them having to budget between things like food, rent, medical bills, devices we want, etc....is an alien concept to them.
You want to know my personal definition of wealthy is? Being able to go into the Apple store, buy anything i want, regardless of the price, going wild with specs and what ever, and walking out with all these items, and not worrying how im going to pay this months rent or car insurance or food!
If i went crazy in an apple store buying wise, i doubt id spend over 50 Grand and thats getting every high end item i wanted.
I dont make that kind of money. I likely never will. These people likely make 50 Grand a day! To them a price increase is nothing to them. They go out and spend that kind of money on a dinner party with friends on a tuesday at some fancy pants restaurant on champaign!
Its pure greed to them. They don't care if the little people like us are having to pay though the nose, they are making money hand over fist and could care less if the rest of us starve as long as they make a few extra bucks in the process.
Are their problems with the current global finical system? Hell yes! Is this the way to fix it? Hell no. This one day we got tariffs the next day we dont, but in 90 days we might again...how is this leadership? Its nothing more then stock market pump and dump insider trading for them to get rich while destroying what little good standing we Americans have with the rest of the world.
Say what you will about Apple the company, and i got issues with them sure, BUT usually when they increase their price on something, you usually get something more for the cost...you get the value that comes with the price more or less.
This isnt apple just jacking up the prices with no additional value like Nintendo is doing now with the switch 2 (80 dollars for a digial game are you insane?)
This is Trump and his goons manipulating things because they are either too stupid to realize what they are doing...or scamming the system to get rich!