No Apple ‘Waiver, or Relief’ From Tariffs on Chinese-Made Mac Pro Parts, Trump Tweets

President Donald Trump appeared to put the kibosh on Apple’s requests for List 3 Section 301 tariff exclusions on Chinese imports of graphics processing modules, power supplies, heat sinks and a dozen other types of components for the Mac Pro desktop due this fall. Tweeted Trump on July 26: “Apple will not be given Tariff waiver, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China. Make them in the USA, no Tariffs!” There are “no other sources” outside China “for this proprietary, Apple-designed component,” Apple said in each of the 15 product exclusion requests it filed July 18, as searchable on the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative public docket. “This product is a component of a consumer electronic device,” Apple said. “It is not strategically important or related to ‘Made in China 2025' or other Chinese industrial programs.” Public responses in support or opposition to the exclusion requests are due Aug. 1, and Apple had few backers among those who weighed in with an opinion as of July 26. “The USTR should not set a harmful precedent of exempting companies from tariffs that move jobs to an overt adversary of the United States,” commented Gregory Lewandowski on Apple’s request for tariff exclusions on Mac Pro graphics processing modules. “This is absolute garbage,” commented Logan Marotz. “We cannot continue to bend to the will of these companies. They knew the possible consequences of their actions by moving their assembly factories over seas. Tough luck, but this is the game they play.” Apple didn’t comment, nor did USTR.