In Pakistan, as of April 14th, President Donald Trump emphasized that tariffs on electronic goods such as smartphones and laptops would persist. This statement was directed at China following the decision by the U.S. government to exclude specific advanced technology products from additional duties. Trump stressed the necessity of preventing “trading adversary nations” like China from controlling American trade regulations.
During a conversation with journalists onboard Air Force One, Trump disclosed his intention to unveil fresh tariffs aimed explicitly at semiconductors the following week. These duties were expected to come into play soon. In support of this, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that exceptions for advanced Chinese goods would only be short-term measures. He also verified that the semiconductor tariffs might commence within just a few weeks, leading to further adjustments in international trade dynamics.
The trade conflict has intensified dramatically, resulting in the United States imposing a substantial 145% tariff on Chinese products. In response, China has implemented countermeasures by introducing an equally steep 125% levy on American imports. At first, representatives from China viewed the U.S. exceptions positively, seeing them as progress. Nonetheless, they soon called for complete elimination of all duties, highlighting persistent strains between both countries.
Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection unveiled a roster of 20 advanced tech items that are exempt from retaliatory tariffs. These include essential parts such as semiconductors, flat-panel displays, and computer systems. Although these exceptions provide some respite, the overall scenario continues to be intricate. As talks persist, both nations will probably keep modifying their trade approaches amid this intense dispute.