US President Donald Trump has announced plans to unveil tariff rates on imported semiconductors within the coming week, indicating a potential restructuring of the electronics trade landscape.The development comes days after the Trump administration announced that it will exclude smartphones and computers from reciprocal tariffs imposed on China, suggesting the reprieve may be temporary.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised his desire to “make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country,” explaining the rationale behind the impending tariffs, as per news agency Reuters.
“We wanted to uncomplicate it from a lot of other companies, because we want to make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country,” Trump told reporters.
He also stressed the need for “flexibility” in applying the tariffs, hinting at potential exemptions for specific companies.
US commerce secretary says separate tariffs for phones
Meanwhile, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick has announced that critical technology products from China, including smartphones and computers, will face new, distinct tariffs within the next two months, alongside those targeting semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Lutnick clarified that these “special focus-type” tariffs would be separate from the recently increased reciprocal tariffs, which saw levies on Chinese imports rise to 125%.
“He’s saying they’re exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they’re included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two,” he said in an interview. Lutnick predicted that these tariffs would incentivise the relocation of electronics production to the United States.
Trump announces national security trade probe into the semiconductor sector
Earlier in the day, the President announced a national security investigation into the semiconductor sector and the broader electronics supply chain.
“We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations,” he posted on social media.