Trump announces steel and semiconductor tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for new tariffs on steel and semiconductor imports, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing while offering initial exemptions for companies investing in the U.S.

"I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after on steel and on, I would say, chips," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he headed to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump explained that the new tariffs would start at a lower rate to give companies time to expand U.S. manufacturing, before increasing sharply later, following a similar approach he has used for pharmaceutical tariffs.

Trump’s trade policies have already disrupted global commerce, with steep tariffs on many countries’ exports and specific sectors like automotive.

Earlier this year, he raised steel and aluminum tariffs to 25% in February, then signaled a possible rise to 50% in May to support U.S. manufacturers.

While it’s unclear if further increases on metals are planned, Trump recently announced a 100% tariff on semiconductor imports, with exemptions for companies committing to U.S. production.

His announcement coincided with Apple revealing an additional $100 billion investment in its U.S. operations.

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