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As tensions mount in the ongoing trade conflict between the U.S. and China, several major laptop manufacturers — including Dell, HP, and Lenovo — have temporarily halted shipments of their devices to the U.S. market. The decision, first reported by Taiwan’s Commercial Times, is expected to last at least two weeks and may impact a wide range of products, from laptops and tablets to Chromebooks.
This move follows a flurry of tariff hikes that have rattled the tech industry. Despite a recent exemption from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 20 high-tech items — such as semiconductors and display panels — the broader landscape remains volatile. The U.S. recently increased tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 145%, prompting swift retaliation from China with its own 125% tariff hike, effective this weekend.
Electronics companies have been quick to react. Nintendo has delayed North American pre-orders for its anticipated Switch 2 console, while brands like Anker and Asus are adjusting prices upward for American consumers. Some direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands have gone as far as tacking on “Trump Tariff Surcharges” to customer receipts to offset rising costs.
Even Framework, known for its modular laptops, has put a hold on U.S.-bound shipments as the industry assesses its next steps.
Meanwhile, the economic ripples are being felt far beyond the supply chain. A University of Michigan survey revealed that consumer confidence dropped for the fourth consecutive month, down 11% since March. The decline cuts across political lines, suggesting that Americans of all stripes are feeling the pressure of trade-related economic uncertainty.
With no clear resolution in sight, tech companies and consumers alike are bracing for more turbulence in the weeks ahead.