Apple again asks for Apple Watch, Mac Pro tariff exemptions

Apple has filed eight public requests for temporary waivers on tariffs affecting both the Apple Watch and specific Mac Pro components.

As well as joining 3,700 US firms in a lawsuit against Trump administration tariffs, Apple has now publicly filed eight separate requests for waivers.

First spotted by CNBC, the requests are listed on the US Trade Representative's website. The USTR has invited comments on "the possible reinstatement of previously extended exclusions," and Apple's responses are among 2,024 received so far.

Apple's filings include broad topics such as graphics processing modules, and Afterburner or PCI-E graphics. But it also specifies mouse, trackpad, and Apple Watch tariffs.

"This exclusion is needed for a U.S.-designed smartwatch that is widely used by consumers for mobile connectivity and health applications," says one of Apple's filings. "This exclusion covers a complex consumer electronics device that is manufactured to specification at individually-qualified facilities. It is not currently available from sources in the United States."

According to CNBC, USTR is considering reinstating exclusions to certain tariffs on a case-by-case basis. This could lead to the end of the 7.5% tariff currently applied to Apple Watch, and 25% tariffs on Mac components.

In 2019, Apple filed similar requests for exclusion, but was denied.

8 Comments

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

About 2 years ago

If tariffs are used for anything more than to block dumping they are simply a tax on the American people and bound to result in one-up-manship and fail anyway.

Just return to sanity instead of childish, playground bully tactics.

elijahg 2823 comments · 18 Years

GeorgeBMac said:

If tariffs are used for anything more than to block dumping they are simply a tax on the American people and bound to result in one-up-manship and fail anyway.

Just return to sanity instead of childish, playground bully tactics.

It's to force companies to consider manufacturing/sourcing at home, where pay/worker rights/work/life balance is much fairer than that in China. The problem is supply chains have been dismantled in the west in favour of China, and it needs a lot of incentive (i.e. tariffs) for them to be rebuilt.

elijahg said:

GeorgeBMac said:

If tariffs are used for anything more than to block dumping they are simply a tax on the American people and bound to result in one-up-manship and fail anyway.

Just return to sanity instead of childish, playground bully tactics.

It's to force companies to consider manufacturing/sourcing at home, where pay/worker rights/work/life balance is much fairer than that in China. The problem is supply chains have been dismantled in the west in favour of China, and it needs a lot of incentive (i.e. tariffs) for them to be rebuilt.

We tried that back in the 80's as Japan was dismantling our electronics, steel and auto industries. It failed.

And, it's failing this time too -- despite the regurgitation of old, left over excuses and chest thumping.
Globally we live in a free market capitalism world and industry will always gravitate to those who do it best. The U.S. has made itself uncompetitive. Rebuilding our decimated and out of date infrastructure will help restore us to competitiveness -- but that's just one of multiple pieces that need addressed.

GeorgeBMac said:

elijahg said:

GeorgeBMac said:

If tariffs are used for anything more than to block dumping they are simply a tax on the American people and bound to result in one-up-manship and fail anyway.

Just return to sanity instead of childish, playground bully tactics.

It's to force companies to consider manufacturing/sourcing at home, where pay/worker rights/work/life balance is much fairer than that in China. The problem is supply chains have been dismantled in the west in favour of China, and it needs a lot of incentive (i.e. tariffs) for them to be rebuilt.

We tried that back in the 80's as Japan was dismantling our electronics, steel and auto industries. It failed.

And, it's failing this time too -- despite the regurgitation of old, left over excuses and chest thumping.
Globally we live in a free market capitalism world and industry will always gravitate to those who do it best. The U.S. has made itself uncompetitive. Rebuilding our decimated and out of date infrastructure will help restore us to competitiveness -- but that's just one of multiple pieces that need addressed.

Except China isn't free market capitalism. It's manipulated and subsidised to maximise profit, influence and power of the CCP. The reason China is competitive is low wages, artificially manipulated Chinese yuan, little better than forced labour, zero health and safety and zero environmental concern. But of course you'll deny all this because you're a Chinese shill.

elijahg said:

GeorgeBMac said:

elijahg said:

GeorgeBMac said:

If tariffs are used for anything more than to block dumping they are simply a tax on the American people and bound to result in one-up-manship and fail anyway.

Just return to sanity instead of childish, playground bully tactics.

It's to force companies to consider manufacturing/sourcing at home, where pay/worker rights/work/life balance is much fairer than that in China. The problem is supply chains have been dismantled in the west in favour of China, and it needs a lot of incentive (i.e. tariffs) for them to be rebuilt.

We tried that back in the 80's as Japan was dismantling our electronics, steel and auto industries. It failed.

And, it's failing this time too -- despite the regurgitation of old, left over excuses and chest thumping.
Globally we live in a free market capitalism world and industry will always gravitate to those who do it best. The U.S. has made itself uncompetitive. Rebuilding our decimated and out of date infrastructure will help restore us to competitiveness -- but that's just one of multiple pieces that need addressed.

Except China isn't free market capitalism. It's manipulated and subsidised to maximise profit, influence and power of the CCP. The reason China is competitive is low wages, artificially manipulated Chinese yuan, little better than forced labour, zero health and safety and zero environmental concern. But of course you'll deny all this because you're a Chinese shill.

LOL.. No, I deny it because it's just ChinaHater propaganda. Just more "alternative facts".