Framework Raises Prices on Its Modular Laptops, Then Changes Its Mind an Hour Later

Framework, a company specializing in the creation of modular computers, increased the price of all its devices by 10%, and an hour later returned the previous prices. This unusual behavior of the vendor is connected with the unexpected statement of US President Donald Trump, who announced the postponement of the entry into force of new import duties for all countries except China.

Image source: Framework

Today at 12:00 PM ET (19:00 Moscow time), new tariffs on imported goods into the United States went into effect, including duties of 104% on China and 32% on Taiwan. Already at 12:30 PM, Framework announced a 10% price increase on all of its computers, even though the company’s products are made in Taiwan, not China. At 1:18 PM, Trump announced a 90-day delay in the introduction of new tariffs for most countries – the exception was China, where duties were increased to 125%. At 1:48 PM, Framework canceled the price increase on its products.

The 10% price hike isn’t the only change Framework has planned in response to the U.S. president’s unpredictable trade policies. The company previously delayed pre-orders for its new Laptop 12, even though it’s already on sale outside the U.S. Framework has also suspended sales of some of its laptops in the U.S. Although the devices are assembled in Taiwan, many of the modular components are made in China, which is the country that the U.S. government has imposed the highest tariffs on.

The company’s CEO, Nirav Patel, spoke in more detail about the pricing of Framework products in the official blog.