The global tech market has been riding a wave of uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump introduced sweeping new tariffs this April, affecting nearly every major production hub around the world.
Starting April 5, the new tariff system kicked off with a 10% flat tax on imports from all countries, with China facing the harshest blow—a reciprocal tax of 54%, later spiking to 145%. The move triggered panic buying of iPhones in the U.S., as consumers rushed to beat potential price hikes. However, Samsung Galaxy users now have some relief.
Samsung, which produces the majority of its smartphones in Vietnam, found itself in a precarious situation when the new regulations subjected Vietnam to a 46% tariff. However, following pushback from over 75 nations, Trump paused the tariffs for most countries—except China—for 90 days, slashing the reciprocal rate to 10%.
Here’s part of the President’s official statement: “More than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States [...] I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period of 10%, also effective immediately.” – Donald Trump, President of the United States
In a sudden pivot, Trump has now exempted key electronics from these tariffs—including smartphones, computers, and memory products. This means
- Samsung Galaxy prices will stay the same
- Apple, Google, and other major tech brands also escape increases
- The 10% flat rate still applies, but no additional spikes for now
Some brands weren’t as lucky. OnePlus, for instance, quietly increased the price of its Watch 3 from $329 to $499 after tariffs kicked in. Now, with exemptions in place, we may see a rollback of such sudden price jumps.
While the exemption offers a temporary relief, it’s unclear how long it will last. The administration hinted that the tariff relief for electronics might be reversed or revised shortly.
