U.S. weighs semiconductor tariffs

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on May 22 that the Trump administration is still weighing tariffs on imported semiconductors, but does not expect any immediate new duties. Greer made the comments at a Micron Technology memory-chip expansion project in Manassas, Virginia, according to Reuters. His remarks put fresh attention on a tariff tool the administration has tied to a broader effort to rebuild U.S. chip production. The White House had already laid out that framework in a January 14 proclamation tied to a Section 232 national security investigation into semiconductor imports. ### What exactly did Greer say in Virginia? Jamieson Greer said “there was not an immediate tariff coming,” while also arguing that semiconductor protection remained important for bringing production back to the United States, Reuters reported. He said tariffs needed to be applied with the “right timing and in the right amount” so they support new domestic output rather than disrupt companies during a reshoring phase. (usnews.com) Micron Technology was the backdrop for those remarks. Reuters reported that Micron said on May 22 it had begun 1‑alpha DRAM wafer manufacturing in Manassas, and that the company’s planned U.S. investments total $200 billion after a $30 billion expansion announced in June. ### Where does the tariff idea come from? President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on January 14 after receiving a Commerce Department report dated December 22, 2025, on semiconductor imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. (usnews.com) The White House said that report found semiconductors, chipmaking equipment and derivative products were being imported “in such quantities and under such circumstances” as to threaten U.S. national security. The White House proclamation said U.S. production capacity is insufficient to meet domestic demand and that dependence on foreign sources extends across defense systems, communications networks, energy systems and other critical infrastructure. It also said the president may consider “significant tariffs” on semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and derivative products depending on the status of negotiations launched under the order. (whitehouse.gov) ### Why are chips being treated differently from other imports? The January 14 proclamation ties semiconductors directly to military systems and to all 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified in a national security memorandum. The White House said modern defense systems rely on high-performance chips for radar, communications, electronic warfare, cybersecurity and guidance systems, while civilian sectors use them in broadband networks, smartphones, grid controls and nuclear safety systems. (whitehouse.gov) Reuters reported that the administration said in January the United States fully manufactures only about 10% of the chips it requires. Greer said the supply chain is complex and that offshoring has developed over decades, which is why the administration wants to allow some continued imports during a transition back to domestic production. (whitehouse.gov) ### Who is pushing back against the tariff plan? A coalition of industry associations wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Greer on May 21 asking the administration not to impose tariffs on semiconductors and semiconductor-containing products. The letter said chips are embedded in smartphones, laptops, tablets, vehicles, servers and other products used by households and businesses every day. (usnews.com) The coalition said tariffs on semiconductors and downstream products would raise costs for consumers and businesses, add to inflation pressures and slow deployment of digital infrastructure. The letter also said such duties could undermine U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and other strategic technologies. ### What happens next in the process? The next step remains the administration’s Section 232 track and the negotiations described in Trump’s January 14 proclamation. (cta.tech) The White House said the president would decide whether to impose significant tariffs depending on the status or resolution of those talks, while Greer said on May 22 that no immediate tariff is expected. (whitehouse.gov)