Apple Requests Tariff Waivers on iPhone Parts, Watch and AirPods
Apple is seeking exclusions from President Donald Trump’s tariffs that went into effect Sept. 1 on the Apple Watch, iMac, parts for the iPhone and other components imported from China.
Apple has asked the Trump administration to waive tariffs on Chinese-made Apple Watches, iMac computer, iPhone components and other consumer products.
According to company filings with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, the iPhone maker sought tariff exclusions from from 15% duties on HomePod speakers, parts for use in repairing iPhones, iPhone smart battery cases, AirPods, the Beats Pill+ wireless speaker, Beats wireless earbuds, iPhone smart battery case, the charging case for AirPods and the PowerBeats, storage components for the Mac Pro, and batteries for the iPhone and MacBook.
Apple told the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office the products were consumer electronic devices and “not strategically important or related to ‘Made in China 2025’ or other Chinese industrial programs.”
The company also said that it hasn’t identified a source outside of China that is able to meet U.S. demand for the products or components in the coming year.
In similar requests in the past, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office denied exclusions on five Chinese-made components for the upcoming Mac Pro computer, but it approved tariff waivers on 10 parts for the product.