The Trump second administration designated smartphones and semiconductors as mutual tariff exemption items.
According to foreign media, including Bloomberg, the U.S. government announced on Nov. 11 (local time) that 'smartphones, semiconductors (including SSDs and equipment), etc., will be excluded from the mutual tariff imposed by the U.S. government.' It is analyzed that this was due to concerns about increased damage to U.S. corporations from mutual tariffs, which could also lead to a rise in product prices and harm its citizens.
The Customs and Border Protection under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released guidelines on 'exemption from mutual tariffs on specific products' on the same day. According to the guidelines, smartphones, laptops, monitors, and semiconductors will be excluded from the mutual tariff policy announced by the U.S. government since Nov. 2.
In addition to the basic tariff (10%), additional tariffs imposed on specific countries will not apply. Products imported from China to the U.S. are also reported to be included in the tariff exemption.
Bloomberg reported that 'President Trump has exempted smartphones, computers, and other electronic products from so-called mutual tariffs, benefiting electronics manufacturers including Apple and Samsung Electronics,' and noted that this will be an important matter for TSMC, which announced large-scale new investments in the U.S.