The Tech Buyer’s Map to Tariff Turmoil

April saw historic market losses, with the Dow Jones plummeting due to the Trump administration's sweeping tariff announcements, which initially wiped out $5 trillion in market capitalization and hit tech giants hard.

However, a 90-day tariff pause (excluding China, where tariffs increased) led to a market rebound, raising questions about a potential crash after the July 8 deadline.

Tariffs on China remain complex. While China is a major tech manufacturing hub, crucial clarity arrived on April 11: smartphones and computers are exempt from these tariffs. This eased fears for much of the tech sector, though constant policy changes cause confusion.

Despite exemptions, some consumer tech like the Nintendo Switch 2, if manufactured in countries where tariffs resume (e.g., Vietnam), could see significant price hikes. The situation highlights policy volatility, China's continued importance, and the need for supply chain diversification.