Big Tech has been silent on Trump’s tariffs

Feb 04, 2025 01:30 AM - 5 days ago 6471

Jay Peters

Jay Peters is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge successful 2019 aft astir 2 years astatine Techmeme.

President Trump announced tariffs arsenic precocious arsenic 25 percent connected equipment imported from Canada, China, and Mexico complete the weekend. But immoderate of the biggest names successful tech and gaming – who could beryllium importantly impacted by the tariffs – person stayed quiet astir them.

Shortly aft the tariffs were announced, The Verge reached retired to galore tech companies requesting comment, and only Google and Microsoft replied to diminution to comment. This morning, I sent emails to Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nintendo, Samsung, and Sony, but person not received comments back. I besides emailed Nvidia, and spokesperson Stephanie Matthew declined to comment.

The tariffs against Canada and China are group to spell into effect connected Tuesday. Trump agreed to a one-month region connected the Mexico tariffs connected Monday.

While the tech companies haven’t commented, manufacture groups person weighed in. Information Technology Industry Council president and CEO Jason Oxman says, “…we impulse the Trump Administration to purpose for clear, constructive outcomes successful its negotiations pinch overseas governments, debar waste and acquisition restrictions and weakened North American economical ties to the grade possible, and rotation backmost the tariffs erstwhile outcomes are achieved.”

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), successful a connection given to Kotaku and The Verge, says that “tariffs connected video crippled devices and related products would effect Americans of each ages crossed the country.” The group besides urges the Trump management to “consult pinch the backstage assemblage successful a transparent process to debar causing important harm to mundane Americans.”

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