The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has opened the door to imposing tariffs of up to 300% on imported chips and semiconductors, a measure that could be announced by the end of August, according to the specialized media Wccftech. This man is unstoppable, changing his mind every day, shaking up sectors around the world.
In statements made aboard Air Force One, the President assured that in the coming weeks tariffs would be set on strategic sectors such as steel and semiconductors, under the framework of the Section 232 investigation, which regulates imports that could pose a threat to national security.
“I’m going to set tariffs next week and the following one, on steel and, I’d say, on chips. Chips and semiconductors. We’re going to have a rate of 200%, 300%,” Trump declared.
A threat to the tech industry
If implemented, this level of tariffs would be devastating for a large part of the sector, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that couldn’t absorb such a cost increase. But the impact of the tariffs would also hit U.S. companies that import semiconductors, making it a game where the market and its players wouldn’t really win.
The measure is part of the White House’s strategy to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and reduce dependence on Asia in a sector considered vital for defense, telecommunications, and the digital economy. Although the export of these semiconductors from the U.S. could also face tariffs from other countries, it’s important to remember that many raw materials for chip manufacturing come from outside the United States—something Trump does not seem to recall many times.
Possible exemptions for manufacturers with U.S. production
Previous reports indicated that companies like TSMC, Samsung, SK Hynix, Apple, and NVIDIA had been exempted from lower tariffs thanks to their commitments to invest in manufacturing plants within the U.S. territory.
Analysts suggest that the new policy might include incentives and tax relief for companies that decide to set up production lines in the country, which would require investments of tens of billions of dollars.
Schedule and next steps
The outcome of the Section 232 investigation into semiconductors could be announced by the end of August, marking the beginning of a new chapter in U.S. industrial and trade policy.
For tech giants, this measure would mean reorganizing the global supply chain, possibly affecting the prices of electronic devices, from smartphones and computers to data center servers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Section 232?
It’s a legal mechanism in the U.S. that allows restrictions to be imposed on imports that pose a threat to national security.Why does Trump want to impose such high tariffs on chips?
He aims to promote local production and reduce dependence on Asia in a strategic sector like semiconductors.Which companies would be most affected?
Primarily those relying on imports and lacking manufacturing capacity in the U.S., especially smaller companies.What impact would it have on consumers?
A widespread increase in prices for tech products that depend on chips, from mobile devices to electric cars.
via: wccftech