US tariff policy uncertainties have created challenges and opportunities for international manufacturers. Companies in countries with lower reciprocal tariffs enjoy a competitive edge. Sercomm, a networking equipment manufacturer, has found its production strategy advantageous amid the tariff volatility. The company, which concentrates approximately 60% of its production in the Philippines for the North American market, benefits from the Philippines' relatively lower tariff rate of 17%, compared to the potential 46% rate for Vietnam.
On the night of April 11, Eastern Time, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the exclusion of several products from "reciprocal tariffs," including smartphones, computers, semiconductor equipment, and IC components. According to The Financial Times, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick explained the rationale behind President Trump's tariff exemptions in a recent statement on April 14.
Apple Inc. has managed to dodge its biggest crisis since the pandemic — for the moment, at least.
The export of iPhones and other electronic devices from India to the US is becoming notably more cost-effective, with prices expected to be around 20% lower than those from China. This shift follows recent tariff exemptions by the US government, which will benefit manufacturers by eliminating reciprocal tariffs imposed on various electronics from China.
US tariffs on global trading partners are seen as beneficial to India. Apple may increase its reliance on suppliers in India due to heightened US tariffs against China.
US Customs and Border Protection announced a series of tariff exemptions, mainly covering smartphones, PCs, servers, displays, and semiconductors. The move reflects the reality that while American brands lead the high-tech industry, they still rely on foreign components in the mid-to-upstream supply chain.
The reciprocal tariff measures implemented by US President Donald Trump officially took effect at 12:01 PM Taiwan time on April 9. Taiwanese manufacturers in Southeast Asia have become severely affected, with tax rates in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia reaching as high as 37% to 49%.
President Trump announced a 90-day delay in implementing new tariffs for over 75 countries on April 9, 2025, just hours after the equal tariffs took effect. These countries will face only a baseline 10% tariff during this period, providing temporary relief to global supply chains.
As of April 10, the latest development shows that Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, maintaining a hardline stance. For Apple's iPhone, which still relies heavily on China as its primary production base, this is undoubtedly a critical blow. Beyond tariffs, Apple's recent lag in AI technology development is making the situation even worse for its future prospects.
Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) has unveiled its operational results for March 2025, revealing consolidated revenue of NT$1.893 billion (US$0.06 billion). This represents a strong 36.21% rise from February's NT$1.389 billion. However, when compared to the same period last year, there is a slight decline of 3.44%. For the first quarter of 2025, the company's total revenue amounted to NT$5.321 billion, marking a modest 1.6% growth over the corresponding period in 2024.
The escalating US-China trade conflict is placing consumer electronics and high-tech industries at the center of geopolitical strain. As trade barriers rise and nationalism grows, American brands such as Apple and Tesla are increasingly vulnerable in the Chinese market, facing both regulatory headwinds and shifting consumer sentiment.
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