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President Donald Trump on Friday added some electronics to the list of products exempt from reciprocal tariffs.
Imported smartphones, flat panel display modules and a broader list of electronic integrated circuits will no longer be subject to the 10% baseline reciprocal tariff worldwide, as a result of a presidential memorandum. The president included those products in a list of 20 harmonized tariff system codes that he said would qualify as “semiconductors.”
In previous orders, the president had expressly exempt semiconductors — along with pharmaceuticals, energy, energy products, lumber articles, copper and some critical minerals — from reciprocal tariff treatment. However, the exact list of products that fit into those categories was left open to interpretation. Friday’s memorandum ensures officials’ interpretations of semiconductors now include an expanded list of products, including some electronics.
The new exemptions are retroactively effective April 5, and shippers may request a refund for duties paid on newly-exempted products, according to a notice from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“The electronics industry depends on predictable trade policies to foster innovation, ensure supply chain resilience, and maintain the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing,” John Mitchell, president and CEO of global electronics industry association IPC, said in a statement. “These tariff exclusions will help avoid supply disruptions, control costs, and support continued investment in advanced technologies in the United States.”
Which products qualify as "semiconductors" for tariff exemptions?
The White House has so far listed 25 specific codes in the harmonized tariff system that officially qualify for the exemption. Use the search bar to filter by code or product description.
The addition of key electronics to the exemptions list caps a week in which the Trump administration scaled back some of its tariff actions. While country-specific tariff rates were due to begin mid-week, the president ultimately paused implementation of those in favor of a global 10% baseline tariff.
However, the Trump administration doubled down in other areas. On Tuesday, the president said “major tariffs” on pharmaceutical products — which are currently exempt from reciprocal tariffs — were still part of the plan.
Similarly, federal officials said Sunday the electronics tariff exemption is only temporary, as the Trump administration prepares to establish sector-specific tariffs on the goods. Trump has previously threatened tariffs on semiconductors, though details of those remain unclear.