Last week, the Trump administration announced a 10% tariff on all imports, layered on top of existing ones. Some countries, including key players in tech manufacturing, were hit with steeper penalties. Imports from China will now carry an additional 34% tariff, while Taiwan faces 32%. Both countries are deeply embedded in electronics supply chains, especially for companies like Apple. The announcement triggered a sharp dip in Apple’s stock.

Aluminum tariffs will also affect computers. Since many PC cases and GPUs rely on aluminum, computer costs are expected to jump 20% to 25% by June. This adds pressure on manufacturers already squeezed by higher wages and material costs.

There’s growing interest in moving manufacturing to the U.S., but that shift won’t be easy. While the goal is to boost American jobs and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, several obstacles stand in the way. Factory construction takes years. Even if companies break ground tomorrow, they’ll struggle to find enough skilled workers. Labor in the U.S. is significantly more expensive than in Asia. According to The Wall Street Journal, assembling an iPhone in China costs about $30. Doing the same job in the U.S. would cost closer to $300.

Another policy under review is a new port fee aimed at Chinese-built cargo ships. If passed, it would impose up to $1.5 million every time one of these vessels docks at a U.S. port. The fee could also apply to fleets that include Chinese-built ships, which includes all of the top 10 global container carriers. You’ve probably seen their names on the side of trucks or trains: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd and others.

What does that mean for you? That $1.5 million would be divided across the thousands of containers on board, adding roughly $600 to $700 per container. Importers would likely absorb the initial cost, but at least some of the cost would be passed through to consumers in the form of higher-priced goods. Similar to import tariffs and their goal of stimulating domestic manufacturing, the port fees are intended to encourage U.S. shipbuilding. But currently, the U.S. doesn’t build the kind of large, modern container ships that dominate today’s trade lanes. Developing that capacity would require massive investment – and years of lead time.

Meanwhile, prices continue to rise. Another round of tariffs is expected in May, including hikes on batteries, electric vehicles, auto parts (including computers) and solar components. Retailers that stocked up ahead of the policy shift are offering some short-term deals, but those inventories are shrinking. Once they’re gone, new stock will reflect the higher costs of production and transportation.

So what should you do?

If your current device is working, hang on to it as long as you can. A quick cleanup can go a long way. Start by deleting files you don’t need and moving less frequently used files to an external drive. Remove any programs you no longer use with the goal of freeing up as much storage on your device as possible. Fewer programs mean less wear and tear on the processor. A new battery can also extend a laptop’s lifespan. Many people replace their entire device when all they really need is a new battery. It’s worth checking with the manufacturer to see what options are available or going through a reputable third-party repair shop if your warranty has expired.

Finally, don’t forget about security. Installing the latest operating system updates protects your device and helps it run better. Outdated software is more vulnerable to bugs and performance issues. Backing up your files regularly — either to the cloud or an external drive – gives you peace of mind and makes it easier to make the switch when the time eventually comes.

The other option? Start saving. Whether you’ll need a new machine later this year or a few years down the road, it’s safe to assume it’ll cost more than your last one. Even if tariffs ease up in the future, manufacturing costs likely won’t. A new baseline is being set – and we’re all going to feel it.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.