Trump to Impose New Semiconductor Tariffs, Maintains Stance on Electronics

In addition to promising a national security trade investigation into the semiconductor industry, US President Donald Trump stated that imported semiconductor chips will be subject to tariffs starting next week. He also clarified that the exclusion of computers and smartphones from the tariffs that apply to imports from China would only last temporarily.

Trump explained that “those electronic items are moving to different tariff buckets” in reference to the exclusion of electronic goods from China.

“We are looking at semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.

Since the White House said that certain electronic products, which are mostly imported from China, would not be subject to President Trump’s reciprocal tax, the stock market has showed a positive trend, with tech stocks rising in South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

Following the White House’s announcement of a potentially temporary tariff respite, stocks of Taiwan’s tech supply chain, as well as those of China and Hong Kong, surged.

On Sunday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that, in addition to semiconductors, other important technology products from China would be subject to additional, distinct taxes.

Beijing retaliated against the US on Friday after it raised import duties to 125% in response to Trump’s 145% reciprocal tariff.

In a statement, China’s Commerce Ministry stated that only the one who knotted the tiger’s neck may untie its bell.