Global technology companies saw their stock prices go up on Monday after the United States decided not to impose heavy taxes (called tariffs) on some electronic products imported from China. Big names like Apple, Dell, and ASML saw their shares rise, bringing some relief to investors.

However, this relief may not last long. US President Donald Trump has announced that new tariffs on computer chips could be introduced soon. This has left businesses and consumers unsure about what will happen next.

Why Did Tech Stocks Go Up?

Over the past two weeks, tech stocks had been falling because of fears that US-China trade tensions would make electronics more expensive. People were worried that if tariffs increased, companies would have to raise prices, making phones, laptops, and other gadgets costlier for buyers.

But on Monday, the US government said it would not impose tariffs on certain products, including:

• Smartphones
• Laptops
• Computer hardware

This decision helped calm the markets, and shares of major tech companies started rising again.

Why Is There Still Uncertainty?

Even though some products were exempted, President Trump said that new tariffs on semiconductors (computer chips) could be announced within days. Semiconductors are a crucial part of almost all electronic devices, from phones to cars. If tariffs are imposed on them, it could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for tech companies.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also warned that some exempted items might face new taxes later. This back-and-forth policy has made businesses and consumers nervous.

How Are Companies and Consumers Affected?

1. Businesses Fear Higher Costs
   • Many tech companies rely on China for manufacturing. If tariffs increase, their production costs will rise, leading to higher prices for customers.
   • Apple, for example, makes most of its iPhones in China. If tariffs were imposed, iPhone prices could have gone up significantly.

2. Investors Are Worried
   • The constant changes in trade policies have made the stock market unstable.
   • Investors are selling US dollars and government bonds, which are usually considered safe investments.

3. Consumers May Pay More
   • If companies face higher costs, they will pass them on to buyers.
   • Inflation (rising prices) could make everyday electronics more expensive.

What Are Experts Saying?

Financial experts believe that the changing policies are creating confusion.

Morgan Stanley analysts said:"The back and forth on policy is still likely to exacerbate uncertainty for businesses and consumers."

This means that if the government keeps changing its decisions, companies will struggle to plan for the future, and people may delay buying expensive gadgets.

What’s Next?

• New tariffs on chips could be announced soon, which might hurt tech companies again.
• Businesses are waiting for clear policies so they can adjust their supply chains.
• Consumers should watch out for possible price increases on electronics.

While the exemption of some products from tariffs has given tech stocks a temporary boost, the future remains uncertain. If new tariffs are introduced, the tech industry could face more challenges. For now, businesses and investors are hoping for stable policies to avoid further disruptions.