TLDR
- The Trump administration is considering a new round of tariffs on semiconductors, per Politico
- The duties could expand beyond chips to include laptops, gaming consoles, and data center servers
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wants tariff relief tied to investment in U.S. chip manufacturing
- A phase-in period is being discussed, but the framework could still change in coming weeks
- Tech lobbyists warn the tariffs could slow AI data center expansion and chip supply
The Trump administration is weighing a new round of tariffs on semiconductors, according to a Politico report citing eight people familiar with the discussions. The proposal could go further than previous chip duties by covering a wider range of tech products.
WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS NEW ROUND OF CHIP TARIFFS
The Trump administration is considering broader semiconductor tariffs that could extend beyond chips to products such as servers, laptops and gaming consoles, per Politico.
One proposal would tie tariff-free import allowances to how… pic.twitter.com/42sgNDIubx
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) August 27, 2026
Unlike earlier tariff plans that focused mainly on microchips, this new framework would also target products that use chips. That includes laptops, gaming consoles, and the servers used in data centers.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is said to favor a structure that ties foreign companies’ tariff relief to commitments to invest in U.S. chip manufacturing. The goal is to encourage more domestic production of semiconductors.
Officials are also discussing a phase-in period for the new tariffs. However, people familiar with the talks say the framework could still be revised substantially over the coming weeks or months.
The White House defended the approach in a statement. Spokesperson Kush Desai said reshoring semiconductor manufacturing is a top priority for President Trump and that the administration’s policies have already secured hundreds of billions in investment.
Tech Industry Pushes Back
The potential tariffs are drawing concern from U.S. tech companies already dealing with a shortage of high-end chips. Demand has surged due to the rapid build-out of AI data centers.
Industry advocates say they support Trump’s goal of building more chips on U.S. soil. But they point out that advanced chip factories cost billions of dollars and take years, sometimes decades, to build.
Until that domestic capacity exists, U.S. companies will remain heavily dependent on imported chips. Taiwan alone produces over 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors.
Lobbyists have been meeting with senior officials, including Commerce Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler, multiple times since the start of summer. They argue the tariffs would slow data center expansion at a time when U.S. tech giants are spending record amounts on AI infrastructure.
Exemptions May Be Removed
Recent discussions have moved in a negative direction for the industry. Trump administration officials have indicated they may no longer support exemptions that were included in the January tariffs.
Those earlier exemptions covered data centers, research and development, startups, consumer applications, and public sector uses. Removing them would broaden the tariffs‘ impact.
Under the system Lutnick favors, a set volume of chips would be allowed into the country duty-free. That allowance would be tied to how much companies commit to manufacturing on U.S. soil.
Critics say this structure risks widening the gap between the supply of tariff-free chips and the volume U.S. companies actually need.
Officials have not yet settled on the exact tariff rate or other key details. One idea under discussion would set separate rates and quotas for individual countries, with guidance covering their major chipmakers.
The White House and the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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