The consequence of protectionist tariffs on goods made in China and Mexico could be profound for the tech industry and consumers. Assuming import fees are imposed, analysts said manufacturers have four choices, and none of them pretty: Source from somewhere else; move production domestically, a costly and years’ long process; lower prices on what is already a low-margin category; or pass along the cost of the tariffs and take the sales hit as U.S. consumers spend their disposable dollars elsewhere.
“Your next smartphone, laptop or game console could potentially get much more expensive. It all depends on how President Donald J. Trump deals with international trade policy – specifically, promised tariffs on imports, which he says could bring manufacturing back to the United States.”
