Seoul: South Korean smartphone and personal computer makers are staying cautious as unpredictable U.S. tariff policies increase uncertainty around their future production strategies.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration exempted smartphones, computers, and some other electronic devices from country-specific reciprocal tariffs, including the 125 percent levies imposed on Chinese imports. The move was seen as a temporary relief for U.S. tech giants like Apple Inc., which relies heavily on Chinese suppliers for its iPhones and other products.

However, just two days later, Trump seemed to have reversed course, stressing that the tariff exclusions on smartphones and computers would be short-lived. He indicated that these products would shift to a different tariff "bucket," potentially to be replaced by new, yet-to-be-announced sectoral tariffs on semiconductors.

Trump also vowed to launch a national security investigation into the semiconductor industry.