Bazzite, a Linux distribution which specifically targets children with Trans and “Bi-Sexual” cartoon characters…
Is now one of only two officially supported Linux versions for Framework Computers (@FrameworkPuter).
Framework is “pausing” sales of some laptop models in the USA… because of “tariffs”.
This is truly peculiar, and doesn’t pass the sniff test.
1) The price can be adjusted on the imported product to compensate for the tariff. That’s how it works and the math is incredibly simple.
2) The USA is not the only country that imposes import tariffs on Taiwan. In fact… *most* countries have tariffs with Taiwan. (I’ve included a *very* partial list as a screenshot.)
3) In fact, Framework already has been dealing with tariffs (many far more complex than the Taiwan to US import tariffs) for quite some time. Which means this is nothing new for them.
4) Framework is not ceasing *all* sales in the US. Just specific models. Which makes this look more like an excuse for some other reason.
This smells like a political stunt.
Framework is a US company (San Francisco). But they do their manufacturing in Taiwan. If they built their computers in the USA, they would avoid import tariffs into the USA. But they don’t and won’t. Because Taiwan is cheap to build this stuff in.
Worth noting that I’ve worked for multiple computer hardware companies (including at the executive level) where we had to deal with import tariffs (going multiple different directions). I can speak on the subject of “building computers in one company and selling in another” with a reasonable level of authority.
Nearly every nation has tariffs with nearly every other nation. Every one is different and many are in a constant state of flux. Yes, tariffs can be annoying to calculate and properly document. But it’s nothing a good spreadsheet can’t solve.
In short: This doesn’t smell right. Is it a political stunt? Or cover for a different motivation?