U.S. Commerce Chief Says Chip Tariff Framework in the Works - Seoul Economic Daily

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration is developing a tariff framework for semiconductors, signaling a potential shift toward more aggressive trade policies ai... Read original →

The U.S. Commerce Department's plan to introduce a semiconductor tariff framework signals a tightening of trade policies in the chip sector. This move will directly impact global supply chains, particularly affecting companies reliant on manufacturing in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, China. Technologically, rising production costs for AI chips may slow advanced process development. Firms will need to reassess investment strategies, with some foreign manufacturers likely shifting production to Southeast Asia or Mexico to avoid tariffs. Compliance costs will surge, making supply chain resilience a top priority amid intensifying U.S.-China tech decoupling. In market dynamics, Europe and Japan may coordinate responses to counterbalance U.S. actions, while domestic U.S. chipmakers stand to gain policy support. Over the next 12-24 months, global AI chip supply will face structural shortages, with geopolitical tensions driving up operational costs across the industry.