Trump Imposes 15% Tariff on Key Chip Material to Counter China The latest salvo in the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China comes in the form of a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon, a crucial material used in semiconductors and solar panels.
The move, signed into effect by President Trump, is framed as a national security measure aimed at countering Chinese dominance in the chip industry.
Polysilicon production has been declining in the US over the past two decades, with market share plummeting from 50% in 2005 to less than 2% by 2024.