Dell, Best Buy, and other electronics retailers surge after Trump’s latest tariff exemptions
Government officials say relief is just a temporary measure.
Electronic retailers surged in premarket trading following a surprise move by President Trump to exempt smartphones, chips, and other tech products from sweeping new tariffs.
Best Buy shares jumped more than 12%, while Dell rose about 8% and HP climbed 5%. The exemption comes as a relief for companies heavily reliant on global supply chains. Just last month, Best Buy shares took a hit, despite topping Q4 estimates, after warning that international commerce is “critically important” and flagging China and Mexico as its top two product sources.
Meanwhile, PC giants Dell, HP, and Microsoft were already bracing for impact — reportedly asking manufacturing partners in China to ramp up production back in November and December to hedge against rising costs. Under the new changes, electronics are excluded from Trump’s 125% tariff on Chinese goods and a separate 10% tax on imports from other trade partners. Still, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned the exemptions are only temporary.