President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, in an effort to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. However, the measure, which could increase further in the coming months, has generated uncertainty in the technology and pharmaceutical industries.
A Staggered Tariff
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump explained that the initial 25% tariff “will rise substantially over the year,” although he did not provide a specific implementation date. According to the president, the intention is to give companies time to build factories on U.S. soil before definitively imposing the measure.
“We want to give them time to come because when they set up their plants in the United States, there will be no tariffs. So we are giving them a little opportunity,” Trump stated. This statement seems aimed at manufacturers like Samsung and TSMC, who have announced investments in the country, but the establishment of their factories may take up to 38 months due to regulatory processes and construction timelines.
In this scenario, speculation suggests that the Trump administration could delay the implementation of the tariffs until foreign companies establish their operations in the United States. Industry sources have indicated that TSMC, the world’s largest chip foundry, could expedite the construction of its plant in Arizona to minimize the impact of the measure.
A Boost to Domestic Chip Production
The U.S. government aims to reduce dependence on the import of semiconductors, especially from Taiwanese factories that lead the production of the most advanced chips. Currently, there is no plant in the U.S. capable of manufacturing chips with the same level of sophistication as Asian foundries, leading the White House to explore new domestic production strategies.
In this regard, the Trump administration is reportedly pushing for Intel and TSMC to form a joint venture in the United States aimed at developing technology capable of competing with Taiwan.
The government’s plan also includes reviewing the requirements for grants provided under the CHIPS and Science Act, the law aimed at incentivizing semiconductor production in the country. Trump has hinted that his administration may modify the criteria for receiving these funds, ensuring that beneficiaries have a greater commitment to manufacturing within the U.S.
Impact on Prices and Consumers
The announcement of tariffs has already sparked reactions in the market. Jason Chen, CEO of Acer, warned that laptop prices will increase by 10% in the U.S. due to the new taxes. He also suggested that some manufacturers might take advantage of the situation to further raise their prices.
The tariffs could affect companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Apple, whose products depend on imported semiconductors. In the case of iPhones, for example, Apple may be forced to shift part of its production or absorb additional costs, which would eventually impact consumers.
With the tariff still in the proposal stage, uncertainty in the technology and pharmaceutical industries continues to grow. If the measure is implemented as planned, the United States could face rising prices on essential products and a reconfiguration of the semiconductor and pharmaceutical markets.