Why Donald Trump still has support in the Bronx

The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, is reportedly considering imposing new tariffs on semiconductors, according to a report by Politico. The proposed measures could extend to a wider range of electronic products dependent on semiconductors, such as laptops, gaming consoles, and data center servers. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has endorsed a framework that would allow foreign companies to receive tariff relief if they commit to investing in semiconductor manufacturing within the United States.

The goal is to stimulate domestic chip production, but the framework is expected to undergo modifications in the coming weeks or months. The White House and US Commerce Department have not confirmed the report. US Trade Representative Jamie Johanson Greer had previously stated in May that the government was not planning to introduce new semiconductor tariffs immediately, emphasizing the need to protect the sector through duties to encourage chip manufacturing's return to the US.

However, concerns are growing within the US technology sector due to a limited supply of advanced chips, driven by surging demand fueled by the rapid expansion of data centers supporting artificial intelligence. Industry representatives back the administration's efforts to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the US but highlight the significant investments required—often in the billions of dollars and spanning several years or even decades—for advanced chip plants to become operational.

Meanwhile, US companies will likely continue to rely on imports from Asian suppliers, notably Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Taiwan alone contributes over 90% of global production of the most advanced semiconductors. The White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, affirmed that reshoring semiconductor manufacturing is a top priority for President Trump, underscoring the administration's ongoing focus on delivering investments and economic relief while ensuring national security.