Measuring the Impact of Trump’s 50% EU Tariff Threat on the Computing Market

On May 23, 2025, President Trump announced plans for a 50% tariff on all goods imported from the European Union, with implementation now delayed to July 9, 2025. While disruptive to business confidence, TechInsights analysis shows this threat is unlikely to directly impact the computing market. Our review of more than 2,400 product teardowns across notebook PCs and tablets over the past decade reveals that only 2% of these products were assembled in the EU, with no computing devices currently produced in the region for US export.

The bigger risk to the computing market is the economic uncertainty created by these shifting trade policies. Delayed or reversed tariff threats, court challenges, and unclear negotiations have weakened business confidence, raised household savings rates, and caused global institutions to cut US growth forecasts. This uncertainty is likely to suppress computing demand over the next several quarters as both enterprise and consumer spending slow.

OEMs should focus on real tariff risks from key suppliers like China, Vietnam, and India—not the EU threat. Until US trade policy stabilizes, large supply chain shifts may be premature. Instead, companies must manage for potential economic downturns, optimize existing supplier terms, and control costs.

TechInsights’ market forecasts anticipate slowing growth for notebook PCs and tablets after early 2025’s demand pull-ahead. To navigate this risk, businesses need data-driven guidance on technology trends, supply chains, and market performance.