Tech Report: Trump announces 100% chip tariff, Apple boosts U.S. investment, and WhatsApp fights scams

President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all imported semiconductors and computer chips.

(LILAMAX)- President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all imported semiconductors and computer chips, with one major exception: companies that are actively “building in the United States” will be exempt.

Details on how much domestic manufacturing is required to qualify for that exemption were not immediately released, leaving tech firms and analysts waiting for further clarification.

The announcement followed a high-profile commitment from Apple, which pledged to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. operations over the next four years. The President touted the investment as a major boost to American manufacturing and innovation.

Meanwhile, Apple Insider reports that the upcoming iPhone 17 has been spotted ahead of its official debut. The tech outlet says the device could be available as early as mid-September, with pre-orders opening early next month and deliveries arriving by late September.

WhatsApp is also making news this week. The Meta-owned messaging platform is rolling out new features aimed at spotting and stopping scams. The company says it has already taken down nearly 7 million accounts tied to fraudulent activity. The new tools are designed to help users identify scams in both private and group chats.

In the travel sector, Airbnb reports a strong summer rebound in demand, especially for overseas travel. The platform says travelers are also staying longer, booking more nights per trip. The upbeat news from Airbnb stands in contrast to Booking Holdings, which recently issued a more cautious outlook, warning that ongoing economic uncertainty could dampen travel demand in the months ahead.