Tariffs explained: What they are and how they affect smartphones

Ryan Haines / Android Authority While on the campaign trail in 2024, Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned his plans to institute tariffs on non-US goods should he win the presidency. Now that he’s back in the White House, he has started fulfilling his tariff promises today. These tariffs will have a dramatic effect on the cost of goods within the US that are wholly or even partially sourced from other countries. One industry that will see changes due to Trump’s tariffs is smartphones. Being that Android Authority is heavily focused on phones, I’m here to help break down what tariffs are supposed to do, why Trump is increasing them, and what this might mean for you, the smartphone consumer. What is a tariff, and why do we have them? Rita El Khoury / Android Authority In brief, tariffs are taxes instituted by a government on other countries that export goods to that country. In the case of the US, tariffs tax non-US countries that send goods here for direct sale or to be included in th ... Read full article.