Trump's tariff: Good news for smartphone buyers in Pakistan

Despite concerns over US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, Pakistani consumers can expect stable prices on tech gadgets such as iPhones and laptops, thanks to newly announced U.S. tariff exemptions.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released a revised list of tariff codes exempt from recent 125% import duties on Chinese goods, with the exemptions retroactively effective from April 5, 2025. This decision spares major U.S. tech firms like Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and Nvidia from steep cost increases.

The exemptions cover 20 key product categories including laptops, smartphones, semiconductors, disk drives, and flat-panel displays.

The move also applies to Trump’s broader 10% baseline tariff on most imports, offering added relief to companies that manufacture outside China, including Apple’s facilities in India and Taiwan.

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Industry experts had warned that tariffs could raise iPhone prices from $1,599 to as high as $2,300. Analysts are calling the exemption a "game-changer," easing pressure on Big Tech and potentially shielding consumers worldwide from inflation-driven price hikes.

However, a separate 20% tariff remains in place for electronics linked to the U.S. fentanyl crisis.