In this episode of the MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and Matt Rance, head of commercial data and analytics at Immediate, to discuss the latest in media and marketing. 

They examine the tech tariff exemptions introduced by Trump’s administration, UK startups considering moving to the US as funding levels fall to a post-pandemic low, and Meta’s antitrust trial in the US over its social media dominance. 

Trump exempts smartphones and laptops from new tariffs (TechCrunch) 

The Trump administration has carved out tariff exemptions for the tech industry. US Customs and Border Protection posted a list of product categories which are excluded from the reciprocal tariffs. The categories include smartphones, laptops, hard drives, and machines that make semiconductors. Those products will all be exempt from both the 125% tariff on goods from China and from the universal baseline tariff. 

UK startups consider switch to US as funding falls (Financial Times)

Investment in UK start-ups has fallen to a post-pandemic low. Figures from research company Dealroom showed that British start-ups raised just £16.2bn in 2024, the lowest haul since 2020. Meanwhile, Silicon Valley peers raised more than £65bn over the same period. As a result, leading fledgling tech groups are considering moving their headquarters to the US in the search for capital.

US prepares to challenge Meta’s social media dominance (NYT)

Meta’s antitrust trial over its social media dominance began on Monday. The Federal Trade Commission – the US competition and consumer watchdog – alleges that it illegally maintained its dominance in social networking by acquiring Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.