Confusion grips Big Tech over exemptions from Trump tariffs

American technology companies were faced with uncertainty on Monday as they tried to understand if a government policy exempting key businesses from tariffs could be relied upon amid President Trump’s trade war with China. The White House vacillated for four days over how much assistance to offer tech companies that make smartphones, watches, computers, tablets, and semiconductors. Concerns arose over potential price increases for products like the iPhone if manufacturing were forced to move to the U.S. An exemption for technology products from most of the tariff hike provided temporary relief but also highlighted the industry’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Trump promised to assist companies like Apple and automakers, causing fluctuations in tech stocks. The administration indicated that technology products might face tariffs through a different mechanism in the near future. Amid this confusion, companies are uncertain about how to plan for the future under the unpredictable trade policies of the Trump administration.