European stocks open higher, tech sector up 2.34% after Trump temporarily exempts smartphones and computers from taxes

European stocks open higher, tech sector up 2.34% after Trump temporarily exempts smartphones, computers, investors eye earnings season

On April 14, 2568, European stock markets opened trading on Monday (April 14) with a positive outlook, as investors assessed the situation based on news of the US exempting certain technology goods from import tariffs, as well as the start of the earnings season.

The Stoxx 600 index was up 1.74% at 8:20 a.m. London time, with all sectors in positive territory. Technology stocks jumped 2.34%, energy (oil and gas) gained 2.65%, and banking stocks climbed 2.5%.

US President Donald Trump's aggressive and swift tariff policies have sent global stock markets through one of the most volatile periods in history. After opening 2025 with outperforming US markets, the Stoxx 600 index fell more than 8% in April, while Wall Street's S&P 500 index fell 4.43% over the same period.

In the latest move over the weekend, the U.S. announced a temporary exemption from import duties on smartphones, computers and other electronic devices only, officials confirmed. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines, a total of 20 categories of goods are exempt from the newly announced 125% import tariff on Chinese goods and the basic 10% tariff on goods from other countries.

But the 20% tariff that covers all Chinese goods remains in place. Trump also said Sunday he would announce new tariffs on imported semiconductor chips this week, NBC News reported.

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