The 25 per cent tariff applies to “a very narrow category of semiconductors that are an important element of my administration’s AI and technology policies,” the proclamation said. That surcharge is a condition Mr Trump required in exchange for allowing Nvidia to sell in China. Mr Trump has yet to follow on imposing tariffs, as negotiations with Taiwan and major technology companies continue. Mr Trump took a hard line against Beijing at the outset of his presidency, making good on a campaign promise to crack down on its economic practices. “This policy will support American Jobs, strengthen US Manufacturing, and benefit American Taxpayers,” Mr Trump posted on December 8th.

Source: The Irish Times January 15, 2026 15:00 UTC