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The Trump administration will reveal findings from a national security investigation into semiconductor imports within two weeks, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday. The probe, conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, could pave the way for new tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals amid rising U.S.-EU trade tensions.
President Donald Trump made the announcement after meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, unveiling a new trade framework imposing 15% tariffs on European Union imports, including autos. A separate 25% tariff will target the automotive sector specifically. Trump emphasized that several companies, including those from Taiwan, are planning semiconductor manufacturing investments in the United States to bypass future levies.
The investigation highlights Washington’s concern over heavy reliance on foreign semiconductor supplies, particularly from Taiwan. Trump signaled that von der Leyen negotiated “in a much better way” to avoid harsher chip tariffs.
This probe follows multiple trade actions since Trump’s return to the White House in January, including 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, as well as ongoing investigations into copper and lumber imports. Earlier this year, the administration also imposed a 10% tariff on major trading partners, set to rise further on August 1.
The U.S. semiconductor sector remains central to global supply chains, with previous efforts under former President Joe Biden, such as the Chips Act, aimed at reshoring production through multi-billion-dollar subsidies. Trump’s latest moves signal a continued push for domestic chip manufacturing as part of a broader strategy to reduce foreign dependence and address national security risks.
This upcoming decision is expected to have significant implications for global trade, technology supply chains, and U.S.-EU economic relations.
