This isn’t about chip shortages or dodgy logistics. Framework confirmed the move on X, making it painfully clear: new 10 per cent import tariffs on Taiwanese goods have torched the margin on its AMD Ryzen 5 7640U and Intel Ultra 5 125H base models. Selling them at previous prices would mean losing money on every unit.

The tariffs kicked in on 5 April under Trump’s national emergency declaration and have already thrown a spanner in the works for companies sourcing components from Taiwan—which, in tech manufacturing, is nearly everyone.

"Other tech companies are facing the same dilemma and taking similar actions," Framework posted. "The difference is most of them aren’t saying it out loud."

For US consumers, it’s a grim sign of what’s to come—price hikes, fewer options, and product shortages, thanks to Trump's trade war version 2.0. Framework says the pause is “temporary,” but gave no timeline. With costs what they are, it could stretch into months—or forever.

Meanwhile, customers outside the US can still buy the laptops without issue. Once again, it’s Americans stuck footing the bill for Trump’s economic posturing. Framework just had the guts to admit it.