Trump Announces Imminent Semiconductor Tariffs for Companies Not Manufacturing in the US

According to the latest updates in August and September 2025, US President Trump announced plans to impose roughly 100% tariffs on all semiconductor imports from companies that do not manufacture or commit to manufacturing in the United States. The measure aims to incentivize semiconductor companies to relocate production bases to the US. The policy targets significant impact on imports of semiconductor goods without US-based operations, while granting exemptions to companies investing domestically. Although the final administrative order and details have yet to be released, the announcement has drawn strong industry attention, with companies like TSMC and Samsung benefiting from US manufacturing setups and facing less risk from the tariff.

Detailed data and influencing factors include:

• A tariff rate of approximately 100%, applied to chips and semiconductor products from companies without US manufacturing or commitments to build US plants.
• Exemptions for companies already manufacturing or committed to manufacturing in the US, such as TSMC’s Arizona plant and Samsung’s Texas facility.
• Tariffs will be retroactively collected if companies fail to fulfill their US manufacturing commitments.
• The final scope regarding semiconductors versus end products, and the timeline of enforcement remain uncertain.
• This policy is intended to strengthen domestic supply chain security and manufacturing capacity in the US, influencing global semiconductor supply chains.
• Taiwan’s semiconductor exports to the US, mainly communication and information technology products, represent about 70% of total exports, with TSMC less affected, while traditional industries such as machine tools and plastic products face greater export pressure.

In summary, Trump’s upcoming semiconductor tariff policy is expected to accelerate investments and manufacturing establishment in the US in the short term (1-2 months), focusing market attention on related projects and dynamics. Within the mid-term (up to six months), significant supply chain restructuring is anticipated, potentially reshaping the global chip supply landscape and encouraging domestic industry expansion in the US. Companies should monitor the final government rulings and implementation pace carefully, adjusting capacity allocation and market strategies to navigate the challenges and opportunities this new tariff environment presents.