Overview
- President Donald Trump said the duties will be applied to semiconductor imports from companies that do not build or plan manufacturing in the United States, without disclosing a rate or start date.
- He described the measure as a “fairly substantial” tariff and said firms investing in U.S. facilities would receive waivers.
- Trump indicated Apple is likely to be exempt, citing the company’s pledge to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years.
- Major chipmakers including TSMC, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have announced U.S. projects that could qualify for relief under the policy.
- The administration’s wider tariff program faces legal challenges, and it has asked the Supreme Court to expedite review after a lower court invalidated most existing levies, while analysts warn new chip duties could strain global supply chains and downstream industries.