US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that there are no immediate plans for semiconductor tariffs, highlighting the importance of safeguarding America’s chip industry. Greer made these comments during a visit to Micron Technology’s memory chip plant expansion project near Washington. He mentioned the potential imposition of sectoral duties on chip imports following national security investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Greer, as reported by Reuters, stressed the significance of having tariffs on semiconductors and ensuring the right timing and level of protection for facilities like Micron’s. He clarified that there were no immediate tariff implementations in the pipeline. Last year, former President Trump had threatened a tariff of around 100 percent on semiconductors, prompting vigilance from South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc.
In a trade and security agreement between the US and South Korea, it was agreed that semiconductor tariff rates offered by the US would be no less favorable than those offered to a partner with chip trade volumes comparable to South Korea’s. Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced its intention to pursue separate semiconductor tariff agreements with individual countries, following a deal with Taiwan on chip levies. A US official confirmed the move towards distinct agreements for different countries, particularly in the context of semiconductor tariffs.
