President Donald Trump said his administration will soon impose tariffs on semiconductor imports from companies that have not shifted production to the United States. Speaking ahead of a dinner with technology executives, Trump said the duties would be “substantial, not that high, but fairly substantial,” while exempting firms that are already building or planning U.S. facilities.
The move reflects Trump’s strategy of using tariffs as leverage to pressure companies and governments to invest in America. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who was present at the dinner, was singled out by Trump as being “in pretty good shape” given Apple’s pledge to boost U.S. investment to $600 billion over the next four years.
Trump previously indicated tariffs of around 100% on imported semiconductors, but said they would not apply to firms with U.S. manufacturing commitments. Major Asian chipmakers such as TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix have already announced U.S. investments.
The policy has unsettled global markets and drawn legal challenges. A lower court recently struck down much of Trump’s earlier tariff regime, but his administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene to preserve his sweeping powers under a 1977 emergency law.
