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White House says 25% semiconductor tariffs a ‘phase one’ action

By Thomson Reuters Jan 15, 2026 | 5:47 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Commerce Department’s ‍25% national security tariff on certain high-end semiconductors announced on Wednesday ‌is a “phase one” ‌action to protect the sector and could be followed by other ​announcements pending negotiations with ‍other countries ​and companies, ​a White House ‍official said on Thursday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said ‍President Donald Trump has previously threatened a 100% ‍tariff ‍on chips ​not made ​in ⁠the U.S. as ‌he seeks to build up semiconductor manufacturing.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Chris ⁠Reese)