Duties on electronic parts to hit small tech companies

The United States import tariffs came into effect on $34 billion of Chinese goods on Friday, including electronic parts, creating challenges for technology manufacturers in the US.

Industry insiders said startups could be at a particular disadvantage compared to their larger, globalized rivals to absorb or avoid the 25 percent cost increase for imported electronic components.

Chibitronics, a tech education startup with a warehouse in New Jersey, makes videos and educational tools to help children learn about robotics. It is one of the small tech companies in the US that could suffer as trade barriers go up.