Apple requested exemptions for the import taxes it must pay when bringing many of its products from China. Currently, the Trump administration levies these on Apple Watch, AirPods, iMac and more.
These tariffs went into place in September as Apple got caught up in President Donald Trump’s trade war with China.
In a filing with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, Apple argues that it shouldn’t have to pay import taxes on products shipped to the United States from China because these are “not strategically important or related to ‘Made in China 2025’ or other Chinese industrial programs,” according to Reuters.
The Trump administration currently levies 15% import taxes on AirPods, Apple Watch, HomePod, iMac and the iPhone Smart Battery Case. The same tariff applies to spare parts used to repair iPhones. So far, Apple hasn’t raised prices on these products, instead choosing to absorb the cost of the additional taxes.
Just the beginning of Apple tariffs
While the tariffs that went into place in September were the first to affect Apple products, they apparently won‘t be the last. The company soon will face additional tariffs when importing many more of its products. 15% tariffs on iPhone, Mac and iPad all start in mid-December.
