U.S. Tariffs Hit Electronics Market, Display Prices Set to Rise
Electronics shoppers in the U.S. are facing an increasingly tough market, as the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese imports continue to ripple through the industry. In the past few years, consumers enjoyed steadily declining prices on monitors and laptop screens, thanks to increased production efficiency and intense competition. But now, rising trade tensions are disrupting the supply chain, and major manufacturers are taking preemptive action to mitigate price hikes.
A new report from DigiTimes Asia, as highlighted by Tom’s Hardware, reveals that companies like Dell, HP, and Samsung are importing between 2 and 3 million display units in an effort to stockpile ahead of price increases. This includes both standalone monitors and laptop screens, as many of these panels are sourced from the same suppliers. Despite these efforts, the report warns that prices are expected to rise by around 5 percent, with companies setting conservative shipment targets for the year. This is a stark contrast to recent trends, where display prices had been steadily declining due to market competition and lower production costs.
While a 5 percent price increase may seem manageable, early projections from the Consumer Technology Association suggested that some goods could see price hikes as high as 60 to 100 percent in a worst-case scenario. The Trump administration has a history of making aggressive tariff threats, only to later reduce or delay them—as seen with the postponed 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada. However, some of the new steel and aluminum tariffs have already had a noticeable impact, further complicating supply chains for tech manufacturers.
The PC market is already feeling the effects of these economic policies, particularly in the graphics card sector. Retailers and manufacturers have pointed to tariffs as a key reason for higher GPU prices, with low inventory allowing sellers to charge premium rates. While some companies may use tariffs as an excuse to justify price hikes, ASRock has openly acknowledged the problem and is exploring moving its manufacturing out of China to cut costs. One potential alternative is Taiwan, a global leader in semiconductor production, but the Trump administration has also floated tariffs as high as 100 percent on Taiwanese imports—potentially making relocation an even riskier gamble.
Ultimately, the ongoing tariff battles are leading to higher costs for American consumers, and manufacturers are scrambling to adapt to the shifting economic landscape. Whether these policies remain in place or get revised, one thing is certain: electronics prices aren’t going back down anytime soon.