The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has raised concerns over proposed tariffs by President-elect Donald Trump, warning that such measures could significantly impact Americans’ ability to afford technology products. The association predicts that these tariffs might reduce consumer purchasing power by as much as $143 billion.

A report by the CTA suggests drastic declines in tech product purchases if the tariffs are implemented. Laptop and tablet sales could drop by 68%, gaming console purchases by 58%, and smartphone acquisitions by 37%, threatening the accessibility of essential modern gadgets.

Brian Comiskey, CTA’s Senior Director of Innovation and Trends, emphasized the association’s focus on tracking consumer reliance on key tech products, including smartphones and laptops, which are now at risk due to the tariff proposals.

Despite these challenges, the CTA forecasts that the U.S. consumer technology industry will grow by 3.2% in 2025, reaching $537 billion. However, CTA CEO Gary Shapiro cautioned that the tariffs could undermine this growth by increasing costs and reducing the affordability of tech products. He urged the incoming administration and Congress to prioritize an Innovation Agenda to support economic expansion.

Ed Brzytwa, CTA’s Vice President of Trade, also expressed concerns about the potential international fallout. He highlighted the risks of retaliatory actions from trading partners, which could raise costs, disrupt supply chains, and weaken the global competitiveness of U.S. industries. Brzytwa called on policymakers to carefully evaluate the broader implications of such trade policies before moving forward.

©UgamaTV