Last Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he intends to introduce tariffs on semiconductor imports in the coming days, according to Reuters.
He noted that a more flexible approach would be taken toward certain companies operating within this sector.
Previously, Politico reported on Trump’s plans to implement new tariffs. According to the outlet, the president is preparing to instruct the U.S. Department of Commerce to initiate an investigation that could lead to restrictions on the import of technologies related to semiconductor manufacturing.
Politico also pointed out that such a move could escalate tensions between Washington and major East Asian economies, such as Taiwan, from which the U.S. imports a significant share of its chips. This decision could have serious repercussions for large American tech companies that rely heavily on foreign microchip supplies.
Trump first voiced his intention to impose semiconductor tariffs shortly after taking office in January 2025. He claimed that nearly all processor manufacturing — about 98% — has relocated to Taiwan, which, in his view, necessitates urgent action from the United States.
On April 2, the American leader announced sweeping tariff measures affecting approximately 211 countries and territories. On April 9, it was announced that tariffs for more than 75 countries would be delayed for 90 days. However, a base tariff of 10% remains in effect for all nations without exception.
On April 12, mutual tariffs were temporarily lifted for product categories such as smartphones, personal computers, external hard drives, and several other electronic devices and their components. Later, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick clarified that this was a temporary measure; according to him, these items will fall under semiconductor tariffs within one to two months.
Regarding China, Trump emphasized that no exemptions or preferential terms would be granted. He stated that due to Republican policy actions, tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. have reached 145%. In response, Beijing imposed its own counter-tariffs on American goods, setting them at 125%.
The Impact of Trump’s Tariff Policy on the Global Economy and Markets
The semiconductor tariffs announced by Trump reflect a growing U.S. strategy of economic protectionism and technological self-reliance. This move could trigger a new wave of trade conflicts, particularly with East Asia, where most microchip production is concentrated — a critical resource for advanced technologies. The primary victims of this shift will be multinational corporations, which rely on steady and cost-effective chip supplies as the foundation of their production chains. Rising tariffs will increase production costs, which will in turn be passed on to consumers and may contribute to inflationary pressures.
Industries most dependent on high-performance chips — such as automotive manufacturing and telecommunications — will be especially vulnerable. Furthermore, retaliatory actions from China and other countries could disrupt established supply chains and create a domino effect across global markets. In the long run, this may deepen the division of the world into competing technological blocs, reduce international cooperation, and slow the pace of innovation.
In this way, Trump’s measures may represent a turning point not only in U.S.-China relations but also in the structure of the global economy, making it more fragmented and less predictable.