Computer users are in for a disappointment, with two popular computer makers announcing they are pausing some shipments to the US in response to President Trump’s tariffs.

Framework makes computers that can be easily upgraded by the user. Framework laptops also feature the ability to swap out various components, such as I/O ports, to better customize them for users’ specific needs. Meanwhile, Razer makes popular gaming computers.

In a post on X, Framework announced it is temporarily pausing shipments of its base Framework Laptop 13 models.

In a follow-up post, Framework says it’s margins are so low on the 13-inch models that the 10% tariff would result in selling those models at a loss.

As users have pointed out on X, the company could raise its prices and blame the hike on tariffs, but the company has built a reputation for being customer-first. As a result, Framework obviously feels that raising prices would go against its established principles and reputation. In addition, given the volatility of Trump’s tariff actions, there’s no guarantee the price hikes would stop at 10%, making it easier to just pause shipments of models with tighter margins.

Meanwhile, multiple outlets have reported that Razer’s new Blade 16 laptop, along with other models, are no longer available for purchase within the US. The impacted product pages now have a “notify me” button.

As outlets have reported, these two companies’ actions are likely just the beginning, with other companies likely to follow suit in the near future.

The Supply Chain & Manufacturing Dilemma

While many comments on X ask why these companies don’t manufacture in the US, those comments betray a lack of understanding about how supply chains and manufacturing work. The reason so many electronics are made in China, India, and Vietnam is because there are entire industrial complexes built around the manufacture of various products. In contrast, the US shipped much of its manufacturing overseas decades ago, meaning there isn’t the support system needed to make the high-end electronic products that are now made in other countries.

For example, even if Framework used chips sourced from Intel’s US-based foundries, what about the screen? Or the laptop chassis? Or the rubber feet that stick to the bottom? Or the keyboard? Or the RAM? Or the SSD storage? Or charging brick? Or the trackpad, power button, I/O ports, cooling fans, and all the other little parts that go into making a laptop. The truth is that the vast majority of those products are all made overseas. To make a laptop in the US, a company would have to import all of those components that are not made locally, potentially paying tariffs on everything.

Instead, it is much more cost-effective—sometimes even with tariffs—to have an electronic device manufactured overseas at a location where there are entire industrial complexes of related manufacturing. Those complexes can provide ALL of the components necessary to build devices in one location.

While Trump’s goal is to revitalize American manufacturing, computer and electronics device makers simply cannot move their manufacturing to the US wholesale until such time as US manufacturing complexes can duplicate what is available overseas, not just provide one or two of the hundreds of necessary components.

Until that happens, and as long as the tariffs remain in effect, Americans should start getting used to missing out on some of their favorite devices.