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Trump administration doesn’t want to give Samsung an edge over Apple
June 08, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “looking at” exempting Apple from upcomingChinatariffs,The Wall Street Journalreported today. However, the reasoning doesn’t just have to do with Apple.
For months, Trump administration officials reportedly discussed an exemption foriPhones. Most, if not all, of the iPhone’s manufacturing and assemblytake place in China. As a result, officials are supposedly aware Apple can’t quickly and simply move iPhone manufacturing and assembly out of China.
Administration officials also want to avoid backlash from an increase in iPhone prices. The current iPhone 11 lineup ranges from $699 for the base modeliPhone 11to $1,449 for the base modeliPhone 11 Pro Max. Because of the pricing, consumers aremore likelyto purchase an iPhone with monthly installments through a carrier instead of unlocked.
Also read:Want an Apple laptop? Here are the best you can buy right now
More poignant is the U.S. not wanting to give Samsung any advantage over Apple due to possible tariffs. Samsung manufactures many of its products in South Korea, Vietnam, and other countries. That means the company wouldn’t be subject to the tariffs.
The U.S. trade war with China has been going on since 2018, with the former announcinganother round of tariffsin August. At the time, Apple CEO Tim Cookwarnedthe tariffs would negatively affect Apple and boost the competition’s business. In response, President Trump seemed receptive to Cook’s arguments and said he’d look into the matter.
Tariffs on iPhones, iPads, andMacBook laptopswere delayed until December.
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