Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Imported Chips and Semiconductors to Boost US Production
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, August 6, a new 100% tariff on imported chips and semiconductors, aiming to force foreign industries to produce in the United States. This measure seeks to strengthen the country's technological autonomy in a key sector for the economy and national security.
Trump presented this tariff as an opportunity for American businesses to strengthen themselves against foreign competition.
Following the announcement, certain exemptions were revealed, although the complete list of affected companies was not publicly disclosed. These exemptions are reportedly due to industrial investments made directly on American soil, a strategy already adopted by several Asian groups in the sector.
The measure could disrupt the global supply chain. Japanese tech stocks immediately plummeted, with Tokyo Electron (-2.73%) and Renesas (-3.44%) taking a hit, while some South Korean titles surged after announcing plans for US-based factories.
Countries like Malaysia and China, specialized in low-cost chips, are the most exposed to this tariff. Analysts fear that these new barriers could destabilize small producers and ultimately favor subsidized competitors, particularly in China.
In Taiwan, lawmakers were briefed on the consequences for local manufacturers, as the country remains one of the world's top semiconductor exporters.
As the US seeks to repatriate the production of strategic components, this decision marks a major turning point in the global technology war.
