Trump's New 10% Tariff Raises Laptop Prices – Apple Absorbs the Cost for Now

President Trump's recent imposition of a 10% tariff on all imports from China is beginning to impact consumer electronics prices in the United States. Companies are now faced with the decision to either absorb these additional costs or pass them on to consumers.

Image: Digital Trends

Acer's Response

Acer has announced that starting next month, it will increase the prices of its laptops in the U.S. by 10% to offset the tariff's impact. CEO Jason Chen stated that this price adjustment is a direct response to the new import tax. The increase will primarily affect laptops, as Acer has already relocated its desktop manufacturing out of China due to previous tariffs. Chen also mentioned the possibility of moving some laptop production outside of China to mitigate future tariff effects.

Apple's Approach

In contrast, Apple has chosen to maintain its current pricing structure, absorbing the additional costs for the time being. This decision aims to keep Apple products competitively priced in the U.S. market. However, it's uncertain how long the company can sustain this strategy without affecting its profit margins.

Industry-Wide Implications

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) estimates that these tariffs could cost American consumers up to $143 billion and lead to a decline in sales. With nearly 80% of laptops sold in the U.S. manufactured in China, the impact on pricing and consumer demand could be significant.

As the situation evolves, consumers considering new tech purchases might want to act swiftly. While the tariffs are now in effect, retailers may still have inventory imported before the tariffs were implemented, temporarily allowing for purchases at pre-tariff prices.