Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping plan to impose 100% tariffs on imported semiconductor chips, a bold move aimed at reshaping global tech supply chains and boosting domestic manufacturing.
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However, firms that build or commit to build chip production facilities in the United States will be exempt from the tariff—creating powerful incentives for onshore investment.
During the announcement alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump praised Apple’s ongoing domestic investment, including an additional $100 billion, raising its U.S. commitment to $600 billion. Apple intends to produce chips for up to 19 billion devices across 24 U.S. factories, leveraging exemptions from the tariff.
The policy sent tech stocks soaring. Major semiconductor firms such as TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix—already investing in U.S. plants—jumped in value as investors anticipated they would qualify for exemptions.
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While the move is seen as a strategic lever to compel global chipmakers to invest stateside, it has also generated confusion. Smaller chip producers, especially in Europe and Asia, are unsure whether their products or partial manufacturing arrangements will be eligible for exemption.
Analyses suggest that without further clarification, businesses may face significant cost and operational uncertainty.
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider
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