Tariff Timeline: How We Got Here and What’s Next for Your Tech?

The tariff drama has left companies big and small wondering what tomorrow will bring. A reprieve from potentially devastating taxes or another arbitrary increase? We have some tips for how consumers can navigate the tariff situation, but how did we get here?

It started before Trump took office a second time, with threats of tariffs on countries the president believes are taking advantage of the US. His approach has splintered relationships with key allies like Canada, though the White House claims dozens of countries are ready to make a deal. In the meantime, electronics manufacturers are hustling to stockpile products in the US before the latest tariff delay expires.

If you’ve struggled to keep up, here’s a rundown of the tariff mayhem, which we’ll keep updated as things progress. Start at the bottom and scroll up for a play-by-play.

APRIL

April 23

12 States Sue to Stop Trump’s ‘Insane Tariff Scheme’

The coalition of Democratic attorneys general, led by Arizona and Oregon, argue that Trump is abusing a law meant to deal with ‘extraordinary threats’ during national emergencies.

Trump Hints He’ll Lower China Tariffs

After retail CEOs warned President Trump that tariffs could lead to “empty shelves,” the president is signaling he’s ready to lower the tariff rate in an effort to de-escalate his trade war with China. “145% is very high, and it won’t be that high,” Trump told a reporter after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US trade war with China is unsustainable. “It’ll come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”

In the Oval Office later in the day, Trump was asked when he would lower the tariffs on China. “That depends on them,” he said, adding that the US has been “ripped off for years and years by every country in the world, practically. We’re not doing that anymore.”

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April 21

(Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump to Meet With Retail Giants to Talk Tariffs

Trump is meeting with execs from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart today to talk about the impact of his planned tariffs, Bloomberg reports. In a Sunday Truth Social post, Trump said “many World Leaders and Business Executives have come to me asking for relief from Tariffs. It’s good to see that the World knows we are serious, because WE ARE!

“They must right the wrongs of decades of abuse, but it won’t be easy for them,” he added. “We must rebuild the Wealth of our Great Country, and create true RECIPROCITY. But for those who want the easiest path: Come to America, and build in America!”

In a separate post, he argued that “Transshipping to EVADE Tariffs!!!” is “non-tariff cheating.”

DHL Suspends Delivery of Cheaper Packages

DHL Express says it will temporarily suspend shipment of packages to American consumers worth more than $800. As of April 5, “all shipments to the US with a declared customs value over USD 800 require formal entry processing—down from the previous USD 2,500 threshold due to new US Customs regulations. This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock,” DHL says. Business-to-business (B2B) shipments to US companies are not affected but could still be delayed, it says.

April 20

(Credit: Anbernic)

Retro Gaming Company Suspends China-to-US Shipments

Retro handheld maker Anbernic is suspending all orders from China to the US “due to changes in US tariff policies.” On its website, Anbernic lets you choose where your order comes from; as Gizmodo notes, the US warehouses often have less of a selection but will arrive sooner. “We strongly recommend prioritizing products shipped from our US warehouse, which are currently not affected by import duties and can be purchased with confidence,” Anbernic says in its notice.

“If you have already encountered any customs fees during this transitional period, please do not hesitate to contact us—we will work with you to find a suitable solution,” it added. “As soon as we receive confirmed updates regarding import duties, we will promptly inform our customers and publish our revised policy on the website.”

Anbernic’s RG351P Linux-based handheld is among PCMag’s picks for best retro gaming handhelds. It’s currently only shipping from China, however.

April 17

(Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Temu, Shein to Raise Prices

In response to the tariffs, and Trump axing a loophole that kept orders under $800 duty-free, both Chinese e-commerce providers plan to raise prices effective Friday, April 25. The good news is that both e-commerce providers appear to have built up inventories to serve US customers over the next week at existing prices, so if you’ve been eyeing something, buy now.

April 16

245% Tariffs on China? No, Just a White House Messaging Flub

A poorly worded fact sheet spooks the industry and the market.

April 14

US: Actually, Semiconductors Still Face a ‘Special’ Type of Tariff

According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the exemption for smartphones and other electronics isn’t really an exemption. Instead. Trump plans to include them in separate “special” tariffs for semiconductor, which are coming in a “month or so.”

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Nvidia to Build Supercomputer Factories in Texas

Nvidia teams up with Foxconn and Taiwan-based Wistron for factories in Houston and Dallas, respectively. They will be used to build AI supercomputers and test chips from Taiwan’s TSMC, with mass production ramping up in the next 12-15 months, Nvidia says. However, the announcement doesn’t mention US-based manufacturing for consumer-grade GPUs, which are mostly produced in China.

Video Game Consoles Still Face 145% China Tariff

Trump didn’t include Chinese-assembled video game consoles on his tariff exemption list, meaning any PS5s or Xboxes from the country face massive price increases.

April 12

Computers, Phones, and Chips Exempt From Tariffs

In a surprise weekend announcement, the Trump administration says smartphones, computers, and some other electronic devices coming in from China are no longer included in the “reciprocal tariff” scheme. In response, Framework says it will “update pricing again to return to the original prices on items that are no longer impacted by reciprocal tariffs.”

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April 11

(Credit: Puget Systems)

Suppliers Slow Down Shipments Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Custom PC maker Puget Systems breaks down how the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports will affect the industry and threaten to create a new graphics card shortage.

Tesla Stops Selling Model S, X in China

Both EVs are made in the US. The Shanghai-made Model 3 and Y are still available, but it’s bad timing for Tesla amid declining global sales.

April 10

OnePlus Watch 3 (Credit: OnePlus)

GPUs—Are They In or Out?

GPU makers and buyers struggle to nail down whether graphics cards will be subject to Trump’s tariffs. Initially, they appeared to spare graphic cards and other processors. But while CPUs and memory chips essentially received a waiver, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) says GPUs face no such exemption.

OnePlus Watch 3 Gets a Hefty Tariff-Related Price Hike

The Android smartwatch is now more expensive than the Apple Watch Series 10.

April 9

‘Good Luck, Americans’: Trump Triples Tariffs on Low-Cost Products From China

Trump says the de minimis exemption on orders under $800 will once again be scrapped on May 2, meaning the days of low-cost purchases from Shein and Temu are numbered.

Reciprocal Tariffs Paused for 90 Days, China’s Rate Goes to 125%

Citing the “lack of respect” from China, Trump raises its tariff to 125%, effective immediately. The “reciprocal tariffs” on other countries, however, are largely suspended for 90 days, save for a blanket 10% tariff.

April 8

Employees at a Foxconn factory Zhengzhou (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Trump Pushes for US-Based iPhone Manufacturing

Analysts and supply chain experts have long said building iPhones in the US isn’t realistic, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump “believes we have the labor, we have the workforce. We have the resources to do it.”

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With Tariffs Looming, Razer Stops Accepting New Laptop Orders

MSI’s online store also shows a “notify me” option instead of “buy.”

Apple Stores See Holiday-Level Rush

Apple’s US warehouses are stocked for months, but the iPhone 17 is only five months away.

April 7

(Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Threatens to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Goods to 104%

After China imposes its own 34% retaliatory tariffs, the president demands that China withdraw them or else the US will increase its tariffs on Chinese goods by 50%, effective April 9.

Framework Stops Selling Base-Model Laptops

‘We would have to sell the lowest-end SKU at a loss’ says the San Francisco-based hardware maker as it hits pause on offering sub-$1,000 versions of the Framework 13 laptop.

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Apple Reportedly Flew in 5 Plane Loads of iPhones to Dodge Tariffs

Apple might be able to avoid raising prices in the US for now, as its warehouses are stocked for months, The Times of India reports.

April 4

Nintendo Cancels Switch 2 Preorders

Nintendo delays Switch 2 preorders in the US, which were set to begin on April 9, so it can “assess the potential impact of [Trump’s] tariffs and evolving market conditions.” (It does the same for Canada a few days later.)

Canada Hits Back by Cancelling More Starlink Contracts

In a shot at Trump’s ally Elon Musk, Canada’s Yukon territory plans to cancel non-essential Starlink accounts, stop rebates for Tesla vehicles, and shift away from X.

PC Vendors Scramble to Figure Out How Much Tariffs Will Cost Them (and You)

PC makers might try to absorb some of the tariff cost themselves. Vietnam could also strike a deal with Trump. But price increases appear imminent as US inventory runs out, an analyst warns.

April 3

Trump Warns Foreign Chip Makers: Your Tariffs Are ‘Starting Very Soon’

Semiconductors are exempt under Trump’s initial round of reciprocal tariffs, but not for long, the president tells reporters on Air Force One today.

April 2

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Enter the ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’

Trump ramps things up with a a “reciprocal tariff” plan that imposes tariffs on countries around the world, including Taiwan, Vietnam, and India — key markets outside of China that also produce phones and PC components. The US says it will tariff imports from Vietnam at 46%, goods from Taiwan at 32%, and products from India at 26%, effective April 5. Trump also says he plans to institute a base tariff of 10% on imports from dozens of countries, including Brazil, Australia, and Peru. Mexico and Canada are not included.

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April 1

‘Absolute Madness’: Trump’s Aluminum Tariffs Hit GPUs, Desktop Cases

PC vendors say they thought the 25% tariff was on raw aluminum and steel, not finished products. Unfortunately, the policy also targets aluminum ‘derivative’ products.

MARCH

March 24

Trump Still Eyeing Tariffs on Chips, Despite TSMC Investment

‘We’re going to get all those chip companies coming back’ to the US, Trump says.

March 5

Ford plant in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico (Credit: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Automakers Get One-Month Tariff Delay

With the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico set to have serious implications for car owners and buyers, especially for gas-powered vehicles, Trump grants automakers a one-month tariff delay after speaking with the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.

March 4

Best Buy: Brace for Price Increases From Trump’s Tariffs

Trump’s tariffs are expected to cause price increases since both China and Mexico produce a lot of the products that end up on the shelves at Best Buy, the retailer’s CEO says.

Ontario Rips Up Starlink Contract

The Canadian province is killing a contract that would’ve spent $100 million CAD (US$68 million) to use Starlink for rural internet access.

March 3

TSMC to Build 3 New US Fabs With $100 Billion Investment

After Trump threatens to tariff foreign-made chips at 25%, TSMC CEO CC Wei makes an appearance at the White House to promise bigger US investments.

HP Looks to Dodge US Tariffs by Moving Manufacturing Out of China

With Trump set to impose another 10% tariff on Chinese goods, the PC maker says 90% of its North America-focused products will no longer be made in China by the end of October.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 27

Trump Tips Another 10% Tariff on Chinese Goods

Trump says he’ll impose another 10% tariff on Chinese goods and the delayed 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada by March 4, since “Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels.”

Feb. 24

Apple Makes $500 Billion US Manufacturing Pledge

With a 25% tariff on foreign-made chips looming, Apple (once again) pledges to create 20,000 new jobs in the US.

Feb. 18

Acer Preps 10% Price Hike for Laptops, Citing Trump’s Tariffs

Acer’s CEO also warns that some companies might use Trump’s tariffs on China as an excuse to raise product prices beyond 10%.

Feb. 12:

iPhone Maker Foxconn Is Making ‘Arrangements’ to Avoid Trump’s Tariffs

With a 10% tariff on China in place and a 25% one on Mexico looming, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu also says Foxconn will ‘work with our partners’ in the US on manufacturing.

Feb. 11

Ford CEO Says Tariffs Would Give Non-US Automakers the ‘Biggest Windfall Ever’

A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would ‘blow a hole in the US auto industry,’ Jim Farley says, while giving South Korean, Japanese, and European countries an easy leg up.

Newegg Confirms Tariffs Are to Blame for GPU Price Hikes

‘Our GPUs are from China,’ Newegg tweets to consumers in explaining the price increases.

Feb. 5: 

Mayhem at the Border

The 10% China tariff leaves some shoppers and small sellers with sticker shock as their otherwise cheap packages from e-commerce sites like Shein and Temu arrive with import fees that range from $20 to $100+. An overwhelmed USPS temporarily halts inbound shipments from China and Hong Kong as other carriers struggle to keep up. In response, Trump re-imposes the $800 de minimis exemption temporarily, allowing the package backlog to clear out.

ASRock to Shift Manufacturing in Response to Trump’s China Tariffs

The Taiwanese motherboard and GPU vendor may avoid price increases for now, though, citing a competitive market.

Feb. 3

Tariffs on Mexico and Canada Delayed

Amid backlash from Canada and Mexico, Trump pauses tariffs on both countries for 30 days, ostensibly because Canada implemented a $1.3 billion “border plan” and Mexico committed to sending 10,000 troops to the Canada-Mexico border. However, Canada announced that plan last year.

Feb. 1

Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China Officially Announced

Citing the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl,” Trump evokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China, effective Feb. 4. He also scraps the “de minimis exemption,” which allowed orders valued at $800 or less to come into the country duty-free.

JANUARY

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at CES 2025 (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Jan. 31

Trump Meets With Nvidia CEO, But Tariffs Still On

Trump has a “good meeting” with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, but says he’s moving ahead with plans to tariff foreign-made chips “around the 18th of February.” He also reiterates plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, plus a 10% tariff on Chinese-made products.

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Jan. 27

Trump Threatens to Tariff Chips Made In Taiwan

In a speech to House Republicans from his Doral golf club in Miami, Trump threatens to tariff foreign-made computer chips and semiconductors “in the very near future.” Tech companies “left us and went to Taiwan,” he says, a reference to TSMC, and “we want them to come back.” However, he slams previous efforts to build up domestic chip production, calling the US CHIPS and Science Act signed by President Biden a “ridiculous program.” Companies like Intel don’t need money, they need incentives, “and the incentive is gonna be they’re not gonna wanna pay a 25, 50 or even a 100% tax,” Trump argues.

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Jan. 23

Trump Threatens Tariffs for US Companies That Produce Products Overseas

In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Trump says he’ll reward companies that bring domestic manufacturing to the US with tax cuts. “My message to every business in the world is very simple. Come make your product in America, and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth,” he says. If not, “you will have to pay a tariff.”

Jan. 20

Trump Teases 25% Tariffs on Mexico, Canada

On his first day back in office, Trump signs an executive order that directs the Commerce and Treasury Departments to investigate “any unfair trade practices by other countries and recommend appropriate actions.” However, it gives those agencies until April 1 to report back. In the meantime, Trump says he’ll impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada by Feb. 1

Jan. 8

Demand for PCs, Smartphones Expected to Plummet Under Trump Tariffs

Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the Consumer Technology Association warns that Trump’s proposed tariffs could depress US demand for consumer electronics by more than 50%.

(Credit: CTA)

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