Smartwatches and other accessories face the looming threat of new Chinese import tariffs



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The world of international trade is complex, and the particular course of a product that evolves from raw materials to discrete components through a final assembled gadget can have a significant impact on what it ends up cost. At present, buyers in the United States worry about the impact that the new tariffs on Chinese imports could have on all kinds of consumer goods, from cars to cars. portable electronics. Now, some newly published decisions specify exactly what types of gadgets we will see become slightly more expensive.

When we last checked President Trump's tariffs, there was concern that taxes on smartphones fully assembled from high prices here in the United States. In recent months, however, the scope of these rates has changed, and Trump has reassured phone makers like Apple that their handsets will not be targeted.

But this still leaves many other types of products vulnerable to these new taxes, and while companies are trying to determine where they will be affected (complicated question, with over 6,000 types of products defined covered by the last tariff proposal), they ask the US customs and border protection authorities to make some decisions. These revealed that products like the Apple Watch, several FitBit activity trackers and a number of Sonos speakers are likely to be affected by the rates, as they had to pass.

That would end up costing companies behind these devices an additional 10 percent to import their goods. The aftermarket is already very competitive, and even a new modest cost like this could be a serious threat to revenue sources.

However, these proposed rates are not immutable and there is still time for companies to lobby. for certain categories to exclude. Otherwise, there is the remote possibility that a product may be reclassified to another (non-tariffed) category, or even granted a specific exemption.

However, do not be surprised if things like smart watch prices are slightly higher. Maybe it's time to start shopping early?

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