Apple gets a tariff exemption on iPhones and, well, everything else

After every week of fears, uncertainty, and doubt, President Trump dropped a shock on Saturday that will likely be music to Tim Prepare dinner’s ears: All of Apple’s merchandise are exempt from the 125 % tariffs positioned this week on Chinese language imports. That follows a 90-day pause on tariffs on all different international locations.

The exemption covers all kinds of tech merchandise, together with smartphones, laptops, onerous drives, and, processors, in addition to headphones and sensible audio system. That’s principally the whole lot Apple sells, with the doable exception of some equipment reminiscent of Apple Pencil and Magic Mouse. For now, plainly it is going to be enterprise as regular at Apple Park, with no rapid concern of rising costs.

Nevertheless, the state of affairs may change at any second. Simply this week, Trump raised tariffs, paused tariffs, threatened extra tariffs, took purpose at TSMC by threatening a 100% tax, and exempted principally something with a microchip. So Apple’s reprieve could also be non permanent. Trump’s strikes have been unpredictable—together with Saturday’s exemption—so it’s unclear what may occur subsequent. For instance, a 20 % “fentanyl” tariff seemingly stays on China’s imports for all merchandise, and U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned smartphones and different shopper electronics should still be hit with separate tariffs. So, Trump may determine to levy additional tariffs or alter the checklist of exempted merchandise.

However for now, the fears round value hikes, particularly with the iPhone 17 simply months away, have calmed.