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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Economy & Trade

US Chip Tariff Stance Unchanged Post-Trump-Xi Meeting, Says Lighthizer

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated that the U.S. stance on chip tariffs remains unchanged after the Trump-Xi summit.
  • The administration is developing measures to exempt chip manufacturers with U.S. factories, focusing on bringing memory production back to the U.S.
  • While tariffs are intended to boost domestic chip manufacturing, there are no immediate plans for new tariffs, with ongoing discussions on timing and scope.

The United States' position on imposing tariffs on imported semiconductors remains firm following the recent summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The administration is actively working on establishing offsetting measures to exempt chip manufacturers that have established factories within the U.S.

Lighthizer indicated that the policy anticipates manufacturers establishing U.S. operations, with provisions allowing for the import of a certain quantity of chips during the "capacity repatriation phase." Speaking at an expansion event for Micron Technology in Northern Virginia, he confirmed that the Trump administration continues to evaluate tariffs on imported semiconductors to encourage domestic chip production.

The expectation is that you have to have your factory here, and with that, there's some coefficient or multiplier that allows you to import a certain number of chips during the capacity repatriation phase.

· Robert LighthizerThe U.S. Trade Representative explained the conditions for chip manufacturers operating in the U.S.

However, Lighthizer clarified that there are no immediate plans to implement new tariffs, stating they would not be enacted "tomorrow or next week." He emphasized the importance of using import tariffs to incentivize the return of memory production to the U.S. The administration is engaged in ongoing discussions with industry stakeholders regarding the timing and scope of these tariffs.

"We want to ensure that we implement the tariff at the right time, with the right amount, so that it can promote chip manufacturing repatriation," Lighthizer explained. The U.S. Commerce Department's January determination that reliance on imported semiconductors poses a national security risk underscores the administration's resolve. Previously, Trump had temporarily suspended the implementation of chip tariffs and directed officials to negotiate with major importers.

We want to ensure that we implement the tariff at the right time, with the right amount, so that it can promote chip manufacturing repatriation.

· Robert LighthizerLighthizer elaborated on the strategic timing and application of potential tariffs.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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