Updated July 16, 2025
As the trade policy landscape continues to shift, we want to keep our partners informed on what’s changed since our last update in April.
In late May, a federal court ruled that the April 2 “reciprocal tariffs” exceeded executive authority—effectively invalidating them. However, enforcement is currently paused pending appeal, so these tariffs remain in place for now.
The good news? The 20 HTS code exemptions announced on April 11—covering key items like GPUs, full systems, and accelerators—are still active and retroactively refundable. That said, the administration has left the door open to changes, so we’re watching closely.
New developments continue to emerge:
- A 50% copper tariff is scheduled to take effect August 1, impacting component production downstream. These rates began at 25% in March and doubled in June.
- Base metals like steel and aluminum are now subject to a 50% tariff, along with derivative products containing those materials.
- A 10% interim tariff is now in place on some semiconductor products as part of an ongoing Section 232 investigation; final rates could rise to 25–50%.
- Reciprocal tariff enforcement on non-China imports (notably from Mexico, the EU, and Russia) is extended through August 1. China-specific tariffs are paused through August 12, though a 20% fentanyl-related tariff and a general 10% tariff on all countries are already in effect.
Industry impacts are growing—particularly in graphics, semiconductors, and core infrastructure. Supply chains remain strained, with price volatility and slower lead times becoming more common. Like others in our industry, we’re awaiting clearer federal direction and hoping for further extensions or resolutions.
At ByteSpeed, we’re actively working with our partners to mitigate disruptions and maintain pricing based solely on actual cost changes. If you’re forecasting projects or facing tight timelines, early planning can help avoid future cost increases.
— Your ByteSpeed Team