Trump imposes 15% tariff on key chip material to counter China

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that imposes a 15% tariff on imported products made from polysilicon, a crucial material used in semiconductors and solar panels.

The move aims to counter Chinese producers, which hold a monopoly in the global polysilicon production.

Trump administration officials are considering a months-long delay in collecting planned tariffs on solar panels and other items containing polysilicon — a phase-in period that could encourage a rush of imports by renewable-energy companies working on US projects.

The White House is expected to announce the measures as soon as Thursday, targeting polysilicon and its derivatives including wafers, cells, and solar modules

The Trump administration will announce as soon as Thursday a 15% tariff and a series of price floors on products made from polysilicon, the key raw material used in solar panels and semiconductors, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The decision, expected to come later this month, aims to protect U.S. polysilicon factories from growing Chinese ambitions in the chip supply chain.

EXCLUSIVE: US weighs polysilicon price floor, tariffs to counter China in solar and chips  Reuters