The United States is escalating its protectionist trade agenda under the Trump administration with new tariffs on imported trucks, furniture, and electronics, while the gaming industry prepares for a landmark $50 billion privatization of Electronic Arts.
Starting next week, heavy-duty trucks will face a 25% tariff, aimed at boosting domestic auto manufacturing.
The policy builds on earlier duties on patented drugs, signalling Washington’s determination to safeguard U.S. industries.
Home furnishings are also targeted—imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities will be hit with 50% tariffs, while upholstered furniture faces a 30% levy.
These measures may raise costs for households but could encourage local production. Electronics face the most novel measure: tariffs tied to chip content.
The Commerce Department is drafting a structure where duties are calculated as a percentage of a product’s semiconductor value, underscoring concerns about U.S. reliance on foreign chips amid global shortages.
Meanwhile, the gaming world is watching EA, EA is the publisher behind blockbuster franchises such as FIFA (now rebranded as EA Sports FC), Madden NFL, The Sims, and several other popular titles, is in advanced talks to go private in a $50B deal.
Moving forward, the investor consortium includes Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners—a transaction that could reshape EA’s future outside public market pressures.
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