Overview
- The U.S. Trade Representative concluded after a Section 301 investigation that China’s state-driven push for semiconductor dominance is unreasonable and actionable under U.S. trade law.
- New tariffs on Chinese semiconductors are formally set but will be held at an additional 0% for 18 months and then rise on June 23, 2027 to a rate to be announced at least 30 days in advance.
- The measures target foundational, mature‑node chips and would be added on top of the existing 50% duty imposed on Chinese semiconductors earlier this year.
- The timing aligns with a calibrated approach that has delayed some export restrictions and opened a review that could permit limited shipments of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China, alongside talks related to rare‑earths.
- Beijing has publicly opposed the plan and warned of countermeasures, while U.S. officials signal that sweeping new tariffs from a separate Section 232 review are not expected in the near term.