GPU Prices Safe For Now as USTR Extends Tariff Exclusion
The feared import tariff increase that could’ve taken place in the US in the new year, has been pushed thanks to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). As such, graphics cards won’t see a price hike in the new year, alongside a range of other products in 352 different categories, which also includes other types of PCBs and computer hardware. The tariff exclusion is known as Section 301 and was supposed to run its course by the end of this year, but will be extended for another nine months.
As to what will happen after the nine months extension, is anyone’s guess at this point in time, as the USTR is having a review of the effectiveness of Section 301. The USTR has already had a first review, where parties that have benefitted from the tariffs have been able to leave feedback, early next year, parties that have been opposed to the tariff will also be able to leave their feedback. After the review, it’ll be up to the US government to decide the future of the tariffs imposed against Chinese made products. This could lead to even more expensive computer components in the future in the US, but for now, nothing will change.