US President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs are sending shockwaves through the global tech industry, with mixed consequences.
On Wednesday, Trump announced a fresh round of trade measures targeting nearly every country—creating significant uncertainty in financial markets.
Big Tech stocks took a major hit following the announcement. Shares of Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia dropped between 5 and 13 per cent.
However, not all tech sectors are affected equally. While e-commerce companies brace for impact, semiconductor firms appear to be exempt from the worst.
According to a White House fact sheet, semiconductor firms like Taiwan’s TSMC are not subject to the new tariffs. TSMC, which supplies critical chips to AI firms like Nvidia, recently pledged to invest $165 billion in US-based facilities.
The Dutch chip equipment maker ASML could also be spared, despite broad tariffs on EU goods. ASML earlier suggested these tariffs would not affect its 2025 outlook.
E-commerce, on the other hand, faces steep challenges. Trump’s executive order ends a major trade loophole used by Shein, Temu, and Amazon.
Previously, goods under $800 from China and Hong Kong avoided US duties. Now, each item will face a 30 per cent fee or a minimum of $25—rising to $50 in June.
The order accuses Chinese sellers of exploiting US customs rules and hiding illicit materials in shipments.
This shift could increase prices for online shoppers and reshape the global e-commerce landscape in the months ahead.
