Every year comes with a unique twist – and 2025 didn’t disappoint! Where the US business owners were vying to achieve their business goals, no one could’ve prepared them for post-election results.
As the US government implements tariffs on imported products worldwide, it’s led to a significant price hike across various items.
Unfortunately, these items also include the most crucial aspect on which many businesses depend – technology. According to the Consumer Technology Association, the prices for laptops and tablets are expected to rise by 46-68%!
So, what do these tariffs mean for the US business owners and you? Read on, as we discuss Tariffs, tech, and your bottom line – everything that a business needs to know.
Understanding The Tariffs – Quick Overview and Context
First implemented in 2018 and renewed in 2025, the US-government implemented tariffs on items imported from outside the U.S. These policies were more rigid towards certain countries such as China.
These tariffs targeted over $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, including laptops, servers, networking equipment, PC components, and semi-conductors. While the government took this initiative to boost the economy, it left many companies relying on products affected by these tariffs in a tough spot.
But What Are Tariffs?
In simple terms, tariffs are taxes imposed by the government on imported products. These taxes are typically a percentage of the product’s value.
In other words, it’s like asking a country to pay for selling to the customers appealing to your Ideal customer profile in another country. They help protect and promote domestic industries, punish unfair trade practices, and adjust for trade imbalances.
Ultimately, they help boost a country’s economy, consequently putting individuals or businesses using imported goods at a disadvantage.
How Tariffs Are Affecting Businesses
The Ripple Effect
Seeing that Chinese manufacturers rule over the tech industry, the implementation of tariffs will lead to higher prices. According to the PCWorld, the tariffs could cost you up to $120 more on laptops and PCs from manufacturers like Dell and HP.
Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operate on a strict budget when it comes to tech upgrades and maintenance. The implementation of these tariffs will make it challenging for many small businesses to afford necessary upgrades.
This ripple effect leaves them more vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, inefficient operations, and downtime.
The Tech FOMO
Although the tariff decided for some countries is set significantly high, political tensions could lead to higher tariffs. The possibility of tariff hikes has been moving many decision-makers to overspend on “future-proof” hardware.
For instance, a manufacturing business purchased high-end servers capable of handling five times their current workload. However, based on their operations and workflow, they are only using 20% of the capacity.
This overkill isn’t just wasteful – it also locks capital into depreciating assets. Even worse, with the tariffs implemented, the business ends up paying a 25% premium on hardware.
These unnecessary tech upgrades would hamper progress by utilizing the budget that could’ve gone towards marketing or training.
Break/Fix? More Like Break/Bank!
The break/fix models continue to be a longstanding haven for businesses even today. Unfortunately, they’ve been designed to thrive on chaos.
If the tariffs delay your shipments of replacement parts, the IT costs for businesses relying on the break/fix model will go through the roof!
According to the experts, downtime costs a business $5600 per minute on average. If we do the math, an SMB could end up paying up to $18000 in one quarter on emergency fixes alone.
Instead, partnering with a managed service provider like I.T. For Less could’ve saved the valuable capital lost to downtime.
Why Managed Service Providers Are The Way Out
Considering their expertise and skill, now is the high time to partner with a managed service provider! Partnering with an MSP can help you navigate through the tariff fiasco, and allows your business to think long-term.
Let’s look at some reasons why managed service providers like I.T. For Less can help you dodge the expensive IT price tags:
Act Fast, Act Smart
MSPs like I.T. For Less analyse your business’s workflows and recommend hardware and software that fulfils your business needs.
For instance, a business owner not well-acquainted with tech might choose to buy costlier equipment based on how recent it is. Partnering with an MSP can help you save by helping your business finding the equipment it needs.
MSPs like I.T. For Less also leverage cloud solutions, mitigating the need for more physical infrastructure than needed, improving security while reducing costs.
Proactive Maintenance
The biggest edge MSPs offer over a break/fix model is proactive monitoring. MSPs like I.T. For Less constantly monitor your IT infrastructure. This vigilance allows them to:
- Keep your IT infrastructure up to date.
- Prevent downtime by proactively replacing the hardware/software.
- Constant monitoring to keep cyberattacks at bay.
Finances Made Predictable
Another benefit of partnering with MSPs is how cost-effective they are. MSPs like I.T. For Less operate on a flat-fee pricing model, preventing any surprise, expensive IT expenses.
With a flat-fee pricing model, you know exactly what you’ll pay monthly, making it easier to budget despite the avalanche of rising prices.
Plan Smart – Choose I.T. For Less
At this stage, the effect of tariffs remains undiscovered. That said, it’s high time to act!
With over two decades of helping businesses solidifying their IT infrastructure, I.T. For Less is the partner you need. Our team of experts help businesses strengthen their IT infrastructure by allowing them to make informed decisions.
We join you not as an outsourcing solution but as a strategic partner. I.T. For Less helps you see where your business currently stands, creating an actionable plan to reach your goals.
With “less costs, less stress, and less downtime”, we strive to offer everything your business needs – and for less!
Are you ready to make your business profitable and tariff-proof? Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step towards making your IT stress-free!
Final Words
As political tensions between the US and China intensify, one thing is clear: Tariffs aren’t disappearing. However, with smart planning and informed decisions, their impact can be managed.
But one thing is certain – the time to act is now!
Worried about the tariffs? Schedule your free consultation today. Let’s help your business build a strategy that helps your business grow unaffected by the tariffs!