Trump is considering imposing new tariffs on imported electronics that have embedded chips

The Trump administration is considering imposing new tariffs on imported electronic devices, the size of which would be determined by the number of semiconductor chips in the products, sources familiar with the government's plans told Reuters.

Under the previous scheme, the US Commerce Department could impose duties as a percentage of the value of the chips that make up a device. This means that the new rules could apply to everything from household products like electric toothbrushes to laptops and other sophisticated devices.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said the United States cannot remain dependent on imports of semiconductors, which are critical to national and economic security. He said the administration is taking a comprehensive approach that includes tariffs, tax breaks, deregulation and energy development to stimulate domestic production.

Economists warn that the plan could lead to higher prices for consumer goods. Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute said the new tariffs could push up inflation, which is already above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. He also noted that even goods made in the United States could become more expensive because of higher costs for imported components.

The largest chipmakers outside the US include Taiwan's TSMC and South Korea's Samsung. According to sources, the possibility of imposing a 25% tariff on chip-containing imports is being considered, while for electronics from Japan and the EU, the tariff would be 15%. However, it is reported that these figures are preliminary.

The option of partial exemption from duties for companies that will transfer at least half of their production to the US is also being discussed, but the mechanism for implementing this idea has not yet been determined.

According to three people familiar with the matter, the U.S. Commerce Department had previously proposed not imposing tariffs on chip-making equipment to avoid raising the cost of semiconductors in the U.S. However, the White House reportedly rejected the idea, citing Trump's general aversion to any exemptions.

Previously, Donald Trump had already announced his intention to impose a 100% tariff on chips, but with a significant exception for companies that invest in production in America or commit to doing so in the future.