Apple applies for tariff exemptions on some products

According to information published on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Apple submitted eight public submissions to it on December 1 in support of the government’s temporary exemption from import tariffs on Apple Watch and Mac Pro components
.
The US Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) reported on the same day that Apple's submission is a public step in the US government's resumption of the tariff exemption process, which allows Apple Watch and Mac Pro components imported into the US to be exempted by 7.
5% each.
and a 25% tariff
.

Apple Watch and Mac Pro parts are subject to tariffs because they are made in China, where most of Apple's most important product, the iPhone, is now made but exempt from tariffs, CNBC said
.
CNBC believes that Apple's case is to show everyone that American companies are still grappling with tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in its trade war with China
.

The U.
S.
Trade Representative's office said in October that it would consider case-by-case analysis to restore some tariff exemptions, especially those that can only be produced in China
.
To that end, the USTR asked companies that support the waiver to answer a number of questions, including whether products can be produced in the United States or other non-China overseas countries and regions
.

In documents about the Apple Watch, Apple said the product is an "American-designed smartwatch" and should be excluded because it is widely used by consumers for mobile connectivity and health applications
.
Apple said the watch is "currently available in limited quantities from third countries," suggesting the company has already conducted production tests outside of China
.
Apple also supports an exemption from tariffs on seven components in the Mac Pro, including the trackpad, mouse, power supply and circuit board
.
Apple said in the filing that the components are not available from sources outside of China and that the manufacturing process is complex and needs to be customized to order
.
Apple has filed more than 1,700 applications for tariff exemptions with the U.
S.
Trade Representative's office since October
.
Apple Watch sold more than 30 million units last year, according to estimates from Counterpoint Research
.
Technology companies such as Google and Intel have also joined the ranks of tariff exemptions, according to the website of the Office of the U.
S.
Trade Representative
.