U.S. Schools Set to Bring Back Whole Milk After 15-Year Ban 
Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for Applicants From 75 Countries 
Schumer Urges Trump to Halt ICE Raids, Citing Fear in U.S. Cities 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
White House Calls U.S.-Denmark-Greenland Talks Productive as Trump Reaffirms Interest in Greenland 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
U.S. Warns All Options Remain on Table as Iran Protests Dominate U.N. Security Council Debate 
Trump Pushes Gaza Demilitarization Deal With Backing From Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Warns Cuba Not to Block Humanitarian Aid as Sanctions Pressure Mounts 
Iran Protests Expose Deep Divisions Among Exiled Opposition Groups 
The United States government has announced a 25% national security tariff on certain high-end semiconductors, marking what officials describe as a “phase one” step in a broader strategy to protect and strengthen the domestic semiconductor industry. The tariff, announced by the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday, targets advanced chips that are considered critical to national security and technological leadership.
According to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity, this initial semiconductor tariff may be followed by additional trade measures. These future actions will depend largely on ongoing negotiations with foreign governments and major semiconductor companies. The official emphasized that the administration views this move as part of a longer-term plan rather than a one-off decision, signaling that the global chip supply chain could face further policy shifts.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the importance of reshoring semiconductor manufacturing to the United States. In previous statements, he warned that chips not produced domestically could face tariffs as high as 100% in the future. The goal, according to the administration, is to reduce reliance on foreign-made semiconductors, particularly those used in sensitive industries such as defense, artificial intelligence, and advanced computing.
The new tariff underscores growing concerns in Washington about supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical risks tied to semiconductor production. High-end semiconductors are essential components in everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military systems, making them a strategic priority for national security. By imposing tariffs, the U.S. hopes to incentivize companies to invest more heavily in domestic chip manufacturing facilities.
Industry experts note that while the tariff could encourage long-term investment in U.S.-based semiconductor plants, it may also increase costs in the short term for companies that rely on imported chips. Global chipmakers and trade partners are closely watching the situation, as further announcements could reshape international trade dynamics in the technology sector.
As negotiations continue, the semiconductor tariff signals a clear message: the U.S. government is prepared to use trade policy as a tool to bolster domestic manufacturing and protect critical technologies.
