Trump plans new tariffs on semiconductors, promises flexibility for some companies

[Skye Jacobs]

What just happened? On Sunday, President Donald Trump revealed to reporters aboard Air Force One that he plans to announce a tariff rate on imported semiconductors within the coming week. Significantly, though, Trump also signaled potential flexibility for certain companies in the sector.

According to Reuters, Trump told reporters during the flight that he wanted to uncomplicate the semiconductor industry because the US wants to make its chips and other products in the country. While he declined to specify whether products like smartphones might remain exempt from tariffs, he emphasized the need for adaptability.

"You have to show a certain flexibility," Trump said. "Nobody should be so rigid."

The president's comments come as his administration intensifies its focus on the semiconductor industry. Earlier in the day, Trump announced a national security trade investigation into semiconductors 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," Trump wrote on social media.

The announcement follows Friday's decision by the White House to exclude certain technology products from steep reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports, a move that briefly raised hopes within the tech industry that consumer goods like phones and laptops might avoid price hikes.

However, comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Sunday clarified that critical electronics, including smartphones and computers, would soon face separate tariffs, in addition to those on semiconductors.

Lutnick outlined the administration's plans for what he described as "a special focus-type of tariff" targeting electronics and pharmaceuticals, expected to take effect within one to two months.

These new duties would be distinct from Trump's reciprocal tariffs, which last week raised levies on Chinese imports to 145 percent. "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," Lutnick explained during a television interview. He predicted that these measures would incentivize companies to relocate production to the United States.

The escalating trade tensions have drawn a sharp response from Beijing. China retaliated by increasing its tariffs on US imports to 125 percent. In response to Washington's latest moves, China's Ministry of Commerce issued a statement on Sunday indicating it was assessing the impact of the exclusions for technology products announced late last week. "The bell on a tiger's neck can only be untied by the person who tied it," the ministry said, using a proverb that suggests resolution lies with those who initiated the conflict.

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Trump plans new tariffs on semiconductors, promises flexibility for some companies

 

[noel24]

Well, You can manufacture dies in the US, but for packaging You still needs to ship it to the country with lower wages. Intel was manufacturing dies in Israel for years, but still send them to Malaysia for packaging. And that means US chips will have to travel to Asia or India, and then back to US in ready Macs and iPhones. So two rounds of tariffs, unless Trump will surrender again. What a joke.

 

[yRaz]

In before the comments section gets locked

 

[RudyBob]

I support Trump and his team. What we will get in this thread is negativity but no ideas.

 

[dirtyferret]

The convicted orange criminal tweeted "trade wars are good, and easy to win." back in 2018, who knew he was referencing "Gina" in the winning.

“We’re now in a huge (trade) war with China, and the tariffs that have been imposed on China are what I would call prohibitive,” former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (also served as char of the Federal reserve for two years under trump) “They’re going to result in massive impacts on the United States and the global economy. No one knows where these policies are headed.”

Maybe if we had allies to help out as like the Trans- Pacific partnership? Oh wait trump pulled us out of that. Trans Atlantic Trade partnership lining the USA & EU (linking the two largest markets)? Nope trump ended all talks about that.

So Mexico, Japan, Australia, the EU, Canada, all major trade partners that we would need to fight China in a trade war have told us to go eat $hit shockingly after we treated them like crap and are cutting their own deals with China (or Gina as the man with six bankruptcies calls them).

 

[Eflow]

Tariffs that change by the day won't convince companies to move chip fabs to the U.S., but laws like the CHIPS act will (and already have).

Unfortunately, TSMC is the 800 pound gorilla in the fabs space, and a trade war between the U.S. and China could easily escalate into a literal war over Taiwan.

Any changes that happen need to occur slowly over 5 to 10 years or longer.

 

[takaozo]

After 1970 when Japan developed a good reputation in electronics and not only and "Made in Japan" meant something the USA decided to move all in China because...now they want to bring back this to US soil? And in less than 4 years?
It will take more than Trump mandate to see again something with "Made in USA" label.

 

[Kashim]

Maybe if we had allies to help out as like the Trans- Pacific partnership? Oh wait trump pulled us out of that.

That's surprising, because he's not known for pulling out. Just ask Stormy Daniels.

 

[Kashim]

Tariffs that change by the day won't convince companies to move chip fabs to the U.S., but laws like the CHIPS act will (and already have).

Funny, because Trump has railed against the CHIPS act and would love nothing more than to get rid of it. He called it a bribe and a waste of tax payer dollars. Apparently America doesn't need allies now and instead of diplomacy and monetary incentives it's better to extort every country on earth using the threat of tariffs.

 

[wiyosaya]

I support Trump and his team. What we will get in this thread is negativity but no ideas.

Facing reality does not count as negativity. To me, it seems Trump is trying to play the keep literally everyone playing the guessing game from his book on "deals" through the flip-flopping on Tariffs.

And then there's this - https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-relations-tension-us-policy-trump
Trump's actions have inspired China to step up its "interest" in Taiwan, and as I see it, that is not necessarily a good thing.
Just because Trump supports your world view, does not mean it is what is best for the USA.

"Trump says so" does not make whatever he said reality.

Its not our fault if you do not see how his actions are, in essence, causing a constitutional crises.

So maybe you disagree, however, I suggest you ask yourself if you believe the US Constitution should survive as it is?

Or would you rather have a President who thinks he can make laws without involving congress?

 

[wiyosaya]

Funny, because Trump has railed against the CHIPS act and would love nothing more than to get rid of it. He called it a bribe and a waste of tax payer dollars. Apparently America doesn't need allies now and instead of diplomacy and monetary incentives it's better to extort every country on earth using the threat of tariffs.

Careful. You're pointing out reality. Some who have posted to this thread might have their foundations shattered and be unable to accept the reality you present.

 

[Beerfloat]

I support Trump and his team. What we will get in this thread is negativity but no ideas.

Trump and his team also support Trump and his team. And noone else.

 

[Kashim]

I support Trump and his team. What we will get in this thread is negativity but no ideas.

Oh you like ideas? Here's an idea for you. If you're going to try and take care of the China problem maybe don't antagonize, threaten, and extort every single one of America's allies and neighbors. If the Orange Turd thinks America can take on China alone, he's in for a very rude awakening. China will never yield to schoolyard bullying tactics. He's going to have to backtrack on every policy decision that impacts China, and of course he's already doing that.

The proper way to curb China's global dominance would be to forge alliances against it with as many nations as possible, but the Orange Degenerate is doing the exact opposite. He's trying to alienate every ally on earth and it seems to be working very well. By the time this ridiculous global trade war is over you'll be hard pressed to find any country that trusts America. I hate Trump, but I absolutely LOVE his policy decisions that are turning every country against America.

 

[Kashim]

Careful. You're pointing out reality. Some who have posted to this thread might have their foundations shattered and be unable to accept the reality you present.

Careful. You're using big words that GED certificate holders who voted for Trump might not comprehend. It's hard to have the foundations of your world view shattered when you can barely string together words to form a proper English sentence. Check the comments section on the Fox New Propaganda website if you need proof.

 

[psycros]

The convicted orange criminal tweeted "trade wars are good, and easy to win." back in 2018, who knew he was referencing "Gina" in the winning.

“We’re now in a huge (trade) war with China, and the tariffs that have been imposed on China are what I would call prohibitive,” former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (also served as char of the Federal reserve for two years under trump) “They’re going to result in massive impacts on the United States and the global economy. No one knows where these policies are headed.”

Maybe if we had allies to help out as like the Trans- Pacific partnership? Oh wait trump pulled us out of that. Trans Atlantic Trade partnership lining the USA & EU (linking the two largest markets)? Nope trump ended all talks about that.

So Mexico, Japan, Australia, the EU, Canada, all major trade partners that we would need to fight China in a trade war have told us to go eat $hit shockingly after we treated them like crap and are cutting their own deals with China (or Gina as the man with six bankruptcies calls them).

Not a criminal. Prove otherwise.

 

[Kashim]

Not a criminal. Prove otherwise.

So he wasn't convicted in court then?
He didn't grossly inflate the value of his properties and get sued for it?
He didn't lose a libel suit and had to pay over $80 million in damages?
He didn't incite the violence that happened on Jan 6?
He didn't illegally retain top secret government documents even after being asked repeatedly to return them?
He didn't try to pressure government officials into stealing the election for him?
He didn't illegally pay off a porn star to keep quiet right before the election?
He wasn't indicted four times? They only indict innocent people, right?

Oh, I forgot, you Trump supporters live in a fantasy world. Judges are only "fair" when they decide in YOUR favor. Being convicted by a jury of your peers is now meaningless in America. And if you attack your country's capital you're not a criminal, you're a patriot who deserves a pardon, right? So much for "law and order" eh comrade?

 

[ddferrari]

Not a criminal. Prove otherwise.

He was convicted of 34 (yes, thirty four) felonies by a jury of his peers in a United States courtroom.

There's your proof. Anything else we can help you with today?

 

[kiwigraeme]

Can any MAGA here tell me as a Huge Corp here in the USA what is happening - are phones exempt now or just for a week or 2 - are we negotiation or it's not negotiable- sometimes change by hourly tweets

I need some stability what are the local taxes for the house want to buy will you change it daily Trump?
Imagine if mortgage rate is flopping like the stock market - am I going to pay 3% to 1 month at settlement or 12% for this house I want to buy , should I keep renting, and wait for house prices to crash as people lose jobs and wages go down

Gee Trump is trying to make a deal now with Iran, now they now have so much plutonium , much at higher purity. If only we had an agreement with Iran 8 years ago - where we were all safe from new nuclear weapons

 

[Axeia]

Ah so now they're actually kinda doing what tariffs normally do but in reverse.

Normally tarriffs are selectively applied to protect a domestic market or to prevent a foreign one from becoming too big.
Now instead of applying it on a few markets a few get exempted instead. That's basically the normal way reversed.

 

[manowar51]

Oh you like ideas? Here's an idea for you. If you're going to try and take care of the China problem maybe don't antagonize, threaten, and extort every single one of America's allies and neighbors. If the Orange Turd thinks America can take on China alone, he's in for a very rude awakening. China will never yield to schoolyard bullying tactics. He's going to have to backtrack on every policy decision that impacts China, and of course he's already doing that.

The proper way to curb China's global dominance would be to forge alliances against it with as many nations as possible, but the Orange Degenerate is doing the exact opposite. He's trying to alienate every ally on earth and it seems to be working very well. By the time this ridiculous global trade war is over you'll be hard pressed to find any country that trusts America. I hate Trump, but I absolutely LOVE his policy decisions that are turning every country against America.

Trumps actions have forced dozens of countries to approach him and ask him for a deal. I wouldnt say thats turning countries against America.

Also how does forging an alliance against China stop China being able to produce goods cheaper than anyone else? And stop them effectively winning all the business. Im curious because very few of the people who are emotionally compromised by hatred for Trump like yourself, have any ideas. They just hurl criticism. But I dont see how your idea works, can you explain it please?

 

[Nobina]

These threads are places for TDS people to let their frustrations out.

 

[dirtyferret]

Not a criminal. Prove otherwise.

, proven by a jury

Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes

The verdict is a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time.

apnews.com

 

[wiyosaya]

Oh you like ideas? Here's an idea for you. If you're going to try and take care of the China problem maybe don't antagonize, threaten, and extort every single one of America's allies and neighbors. If the Orange Turd thinks America can take on China alone, he's in for a very rude awakening. China will never yield to schoolyard bullying tactics. He's going to have to backtrack on every policy decision that impacts China, and of course he's already doing that.

Now that Trump is flipping off just about every country in the world, China is reaching out to countries other than the US looking to make deals. https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-negotiations-f5acfd1ef8f3573f92e8963a8150bdfb
In that aspect, Trump's actions may wholly backfire on the US.

Our stable genius at work shoving his

These threads are places for TDS people to let their frustrations out.

People who fail to recognize reality cannot blame their failure to recognize reality on others - as much as they might like to.

 

[wiyosaya]

Honestly, the isolationist actions being taken by the current administration make me wonder whether, for the duration of this administration, at least, the same thing will happen to the US as when China isolated itself from the rest of the world. It took the Chinese many many years to recover from that political faux pas.

 

[m4a4]

These threads are places for TDS people to let their frustrations out.

And for some of us to see these toxic people and hit the "Ignore" button. Currently says 24 comments, but I only see half.