Back in July, Apple asked the Trump Administration to exclude from import tariffs fifteen Mac Pro components made in China. Recently, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office approved this request, but the 25% tariff exclusion will apply for only ten out of the fifteen imported parts.
The USTR approved tariff relief for the overall exterior enclosure, the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, as well as some key internal components for the Mac Pro.
However, Apple’s request regarding the Mac Pro‘s optional wheels, circuit board, power adapter, charging cable and cooling system, have been denied. This decision came a week after Apple Inc. announced that they will produce the new Mac Pro in Texas, USA.
On the same day the denial was announced, President Trump applauded Apple for its decision to support U.S. jobs:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1178747450120708097?s=20
In a press release, Apple said the following:
The US manufacturing of Mac Pro is made possible following a federal product exclusion Apple is receiving for certain necessary components. The value of American-made components in the new Mac Pro is 2.5 times greater than in Apple’s previous generation Mac Pro.
The thing is, exclusions are based on whether the product is only available from China, is strategically important or related to Chinese industrial programs, and whether tariffs will “cause severe economic harm” to the company or U.S. interests.
In its request back in July, Apple claimed that the devices or components are not related to Chinese industrial programs – and that “there are no other sources for this proprietary, Apple-designed component.”
Bloomberg reports that the USTR denied the five exclusion requests because they:
“failed to show that the imposition of additional duties on the particular product would cause severe economic harm to you or other US interests.”
It is expected that the duty on the Chinese-imported products will be increased to 30% on October 15.
The Apple Watch, AirPods and iMac computers were affected by 15% tariffs in September, while the iPhone, iPad and other major Apple products will be impacted in December.
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