On Wednesday, the Trump Administration revealed plans to impose tariffs targeting specific high-performance AI processors, including models like the Nvidia H200, in response to identified risks to national security.
These new duties avoid specifying any particular nation, instead citing general worries about the influx of semiconductors, equipment for their production, and related items.
Details on the exact items affected remain vague, though some exclusions exist. Officials indicated a 25 percent duty on select high-end AI chips, such as the Nvidia H200 and AMD MI325X, but waived it for imports aiding the expansion of America's technology infrastructure and boosting local production of semiconductor byproducts. The accompanying announcement provided no further inventory of covered goods.
Authorities further signaled potential for wider duties on semiconductor inflows and associated products, aiming to encourage growth in American chip fabrication.
The administration has employed tariff threats to urge leading semiconductor firms toward U.S.-based operations. For instance, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company committed to a $100 billion commitment for American facilities. In August 2025, President Trump warned of up to 100 percent levies on all foreign chip imports absent domestic origin. Prior to this, a 50 percent tariff had been enacted on processors from China.