U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he plans to impose steep tariffs on smartphones built outside the United States. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said any company manufacturing phones abroad would face a 25% duty, in line with an earlier threat aimed at Apple.
'It would be more, it would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise it wouldn't be fair,' he said, teasing a deadline 'by the end of June' to roll out the measures.
Earlier, the president posted on his Truth Social platform a warning to Apple chief Tim Cook: unless iPhones sold in the U.S. are 'manufactured and built in the United States,' a minimum tariff of 25% will be applied.
Samsung, a South Korean giant whose Galaxy line rivals the iPhone, could be next in line for duties under this plan. The move underscores a broader push to reshape global supply chains and incentivize onshore production, potentially disrupting smartphone markets, pushing prices up and heightening trade tensions.
In the same flurry of announcements, Trump threatened a 50% tax on all imports from the European Union starting June 1, 2025. Citing EU trade barriers, value-added taxes and 'unfair and unjustified lawsuits,' he said talks with Brussels were 'going nowhere.'
With key deadlines in late June and mid-2025 on the horizon, businesses and consumers worldwide will be watching Washington and Brussels closely for any policy shifts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
