U.S. Trade Representative: "Comprehensive Semiconductor Tariffs to Be Imposed at Appropriate Time... Not Immediately"

U.S. Trade Representative: "Comprehensive Semiconductor Tariffs to Be Imposed at Appropriate Time... Not Immediately"

Jamison Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) chief, stated on the 22nd (local time) that comprehensive product tariffs on semiconductors would be imposed at an appropriate time, but not immediately.

Reuters reported that Greer made this statement during a speech at an event held at Micron Technology's memory chip factory near Washington D.C., saying, "Imposing tariffs on semiconductors is really important."

Greer emphasized, "More important than protecting facilities like these (memory chip factories) is that we implement it (semiconductor tariffs) at the right time and at the right level."

He then added, "There will be no immediate tariffs imposed (on semiconductors)."

The semiconductor tariffs mentioned by Greer appear to refer to product-specific tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act for reasons such as national security.

The U.S. currently imposes a 25% tariff, limited to semiconductors imported from foreign factories, including Taiwan's TSMC, for re-export to China and other countries, as per a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump in January.

However, despite President Trump's "100% tariff threat" in August last year, a comprehensive introduction of tariffs on all semiconductor imports has not yet occurred.

President Trump said at the swearing-in ceremony for Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Kevin Warsh today that thanks to tariffs, "by the time I leave office, we will have 50% of the world's chip manufacturing capacity, and perhaps even more."

President Trump cited TSMC's semiconductor factory being built in Arizona, USA, saying, "They're coming in from Taiwan, they're coming in from other areas as well."

Combining the statements of President Trump and Representative Greer, it can be interpreted that the imposition of comprehensive semiconductor tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act is being kept as a possible option during this administration's term, to be used as leverage for "reshoring" semiconductor manufacturing.