In a bold ⚡️ move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office that the U.S. will slap a 100% tariff on semiconductor chips imported from any country not committing to build in America. "So 100 percent tariff on all chips and semiconductors coming into the United States," Trump said, setting the tech world abuzz. 🚨
That said, companies that promise to set up shop 🇺🇸 or are already breaking ground will dodge the tariff. "If you've made a commitment to build (in the U.S.), or if you're in the process of building (in the U.S.), as many are, there is no tariff," he added. Think of it like a VIP pass to keep your chip shipments fee-free. 🎟️🏗️
This plan taps into a $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research subsidy program launched by Congress in 2022. Under that initiative, the Commerce Department convinced five leading-edge firms to plant their chip factories on American soil. The result? U.S. production fell from 40% of global output in 1990 to about 12% today—levels many see as a wake-up call. 📉🔬
Trump even warned that if a company pledges to build and then bails, the tariffs will pile up retroactively. "We go back and we add it up…and we charge you at a later date," he said. So, no ghosting on that factory deal—otherwise, the bill comes due. 💸⏳
With global chip shortages still fresh in the memory, this move aims to supercharge American manufacturing and secure supply chains. Will it spark a chip renaissance in the U.S.? Stay tuned as we track how this policy shake-up reverberates through the tech world and beyond. 🌐🔍
Reference(s):
Trump says U.S. will charge 100% tariff on some semiconductor imports
cgtn.com
