U.S. exempts smartphones, computers from global Trump tariffs

Smartphones, computers and other electronics have been exempted from the Trump administration’s escalating trade war with China. According to a notice published late Friday by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, a host of popular high-tech products germane to the American consumer won’t be subject to tariffs and will buffer the public from cost increases for items ubiquitous in everyday life. Before the administration made the smartphone and electronics exemptions, Apple’s popular iPhone – most of which are manufactured in China – could have seen massive price increases, depending on how Apple responds to the sweeping levies. Experts predict…