US Considers Fresh Round of Tariffs On Semiconductors (cnbc.com)
- Reference: 0185235410
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/08/28/009205/us-considers-fresh-round-of-tariffs-on-semiconductors
- Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/27/trump-semiconductor-tech-tariffs.html
> U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is [1]reportedly considering new tariffs on semiconductors used in the U.S., as tech giants race to beat China in the artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out. The duties will be imposed on an expanded range of tech products made alongside chips, including laptops, data center servers and gaming hardware, eight people familiar with the matter [2]told Politico in a report published Thursday.
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> The measures, which are still in the early phases and subject to significant changes over the next few months, will be introduced via a staggered rollout period, according to the report. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC, but told Politico: "Reshoring semiconductor manufacturing is a top priority for President Trump, whose policies have already secured hundreds of billions of dollars of investments in this key sector."
The tech industry is pushing back on the tariffs, warning they could raise chip costs, slow data-center construction, and undermine the very AI expansion the administration wants to promote. "This may be the single dumbest way imaginable to pursue American dominance in AI," said one tech official from a major industry group that also served in the first Trump administration. "It's like kneecapping yourself at the starting line."
Lobbyists say they have repeatedly urged officials to "tread carefully" because U.S. demand is surging while domestic chip capacity remains far too limited. The industry argues that factories take years to build and current domestic production cannot come close to satisfying demand.
One tech representative said "the math literally just does not work," noting that proposed duty-free allowances "wouldn't cover the hyperscalers alone." Meanwhile, the Computer and Communications Industry Association warned that higher costs and uncertainty could put the massive data-center buildout "in jeopardy."
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/27/trump-semiconductor-tech-tariffs.html
[2] https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/27/data-centers-chips-tariffs-threat-01050957
Idiocracy (Score:2)
We all saw what happened the first time around, and a majority thought, "Let's do this again! Better this than some woman who laughs funny."
Re: (Score:2)
To be fair, I was also curious what Trump would do when he didn't have to worry about reelection or, indeed, living much past the end of his term. Curious in the way you see the edge of a cliff and wonder what it would be like to jump off.
Re: (Score:2)
a priori this seems different; they say: still in the early phases and subject to significant changes over the next few months, will be introduced via a staggered rollout period . that doesn't even remotely sound like trump's usual reckless and impulsive acting out (maybe he isn't even involved in this?) and could mean a cautious and sensible approach to promoting us semiconductor industry, which isn't a bad idea if it is supported by further policies and investments. tariffs alone will ofc do little, except
Re: (Score:2)
> We all saw what happened the first time around, and a majority thought, "Let's do this again! Better this than some woman who laughs funny."
Well... "majority" means more than half and Trump only got 49.8% (77,302,580) of the popular vote and Harris got 48.3% (75,017,613). An estimated 36% (89 million) eligible voters didn't even vote - so only about 64% of eligible voters actually voted. This means that Trump only got about 31% of all eligible votes. More people didn't vote than voted for either individual candidate. So it's more like tyranny of the more motivated minority. Voting matters people. Also, my personal feeling is that if you
Trump's reply (Score:2)
> One tech representative said "the math literally just does not work,"
"It was my understanding that there would be no math."
Re: (Score:2)
Probably also what the MAGA morons thought. And no physical reality either. Well, guess what ...
Re: (Score:2)
He told them other countries would pay for the tariffs. I learned what a tariff was back in 6th grade.
But belonging to a cult will do that to a person.
Sure... (Score:2)
American's #1 issue these days: Affordability.
The solution? Add another "Tax" on things.
"Slow clap" great job
Re: (Score:2)
To be fair, he is still making himself richer and he is still not in prison. That is impressive, but not in any good way.
Trump just picked sides in "AI debate" (Score:2)
It looks like Comrade Trump just now chose the "no more datacenters!" team. His punitive taxes are one of the best tools we have to sanction the US economy, keeping growth down and inflation up.
I used to think Comrade Trump's Greenpeace membership was a sham, but over the last year he's proven himself to be a true believer that American industries all need to be shut down. First America, then The World! It's time humanity went back to hunting and gathering. FUCK FARMERS!
Re: (Score:2)
That will last exactly until the mid-term votes are cast. He is getting desperate and trying anything now.
Re: (Score:2)
It'll last until next news cycle.
Re: (Score:2)
I find your lack of faith (in our lard and sader donald trump) disturbing
trump considers fresh round of sanctions on US (Score:2)
FTFY
Please get a new idea (Score:2)
Ironically for Republicans the only economic tool they seems to capable of using these days is taxes, taxes and more taxes .
And yet since 2000 it turns out that the Bush and Trump tax cuts are going to end up responsible for [1]nearly 50% of US debt [ms.now] and Trump himself may end up responsible for 25% of all US debt . Let that sink in and accept the fact that when Republicans tell you they want balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility they are lying to your face .
[1] https://www.ms.now/opinion/federal-debt-40-trillion-trump-tax-cuts
WTF (Score:2)
WTF is he doing? He's like actively trying to destroy the US!
Re: (Score:2)
He does whatever Stephen Miller whispers into his ear. He's nothing more than the useful idiot cult leader.
China probably loveing it. (Score:2)
China is probably very happy with this development.
Good way to kneecap all your industries in one go. Pretty much every new modern microwave to your TV to your automobile have at least 1 or more chips in them.
Only things which may not have a chip are things which dont use power. Maybe your bed (assuming not one of the "smart beds"), chair, baseball bat, etc.
For the kool aid drinkers (Score:2)
History has shown this ends poorly.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E2%80%93Hawley_Tariff_Act
This is literally just a way to shift tax burden (Score:2)
They're talking about it openly if you're listening but you have to really be listening.
Basically they want to create a national sales tax because that puts the tax burden for paying for the military and the police and everything onto people who spend most of their income buying things. That's you.
So this is just a way to make you the working Man pay the taxes for the people who own things for a living instead of working for a living.
The idea that we have people who own things for a living in ou
Single dumbest way? (Score:3, Insightful)
I believe this administration has not yet found bottom in their dig into stupid.
Re: (Score:2)
We keep underestimating their determination in this regard, and they keep surprising us with their digging skills.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm struggling to understand the logic, even from a MAGA perspective. How does making tech more expensive for US companies help them compete against Chinese companies?