GPUs may be exempt from new ‘reciprocal tariffs’ but 25% aluminum-focused tariffs still apply

President Trump’s administration imposed what it’s calling “reciprocal tariffs” on around 90 countries, which raised concerns on how that would affect GPUs that are already expected to go up in price. But it looks like components like GPUs will be unaffected by the reciprocal tariffs, according to the federal order published on April 7. However, graphics cards will still be hit by the 25% aluminum-focused tariffs on imports from China and other countries. 

The federal order lists all products and components that are included in the reciprocal tariffs with HTSUS or Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the Unites States codes. As per Annex II, “Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers," "Electronic integrated circuits: memories," and "Parts of electronic integrated circuits and micro assemblies” have been listed in the descriptions along with their corresponding HTSUS codes. 

What’s missing from this list is codes for graphics cards or “Printed circuit assemblies for rendering images onto computer screens (graphics processing modules”) and “Parts and accessories of machines of heading 8471, whether or no incorporating fan hubs or LEDs but not incorporating other goods of heading 8541 or 8542).” These are classified with tariff codes 8473301180 and 8473305100, both of which are not included in the Annex, as noted by PCMag. 

This suggests that GPUs will be exempt from at least the reciprocal tariffs. However, since they are categorized as aluminum-based products, they are still subject to the blanket 25% tariffs that were originally imposed on imports. While this is the current situation, things may change for the worse as and when the separate chip-focused tariffs are implemented. As it stands now, products imported from China into the US have been levied a 104% total tariff, with China announcing retaliatory tariffs of 84% on imports of all US goods.