The U.S. Commerce Division has initiated a Part 232 investigation into semiconductor imports, based on a filing to be published within the Federal Register Wednesday.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will assess the nationwide safety implications of importing semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing tools and by-product merchandise, per the submitting.
As a part of the investigation, the Commerce Division will open a 21-day public remark interval as soon as the submitting is printed. Lutnick hinted on the upcoming Federal Register submitting in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday.
The investigation would probably lay the groundwork for the tariffs on semiconductors that President Donald Trump has previously promised.
On Friday, Trump expanded the scope of what may probably fall underneath the semiconductor class when he added smartphones, laptops and another electronics to the checklist of goods exempt from the U.S.’ reciprocal tariffs.
Lutnick instructed ABC Information the exempt merchandise categorized underneath the “semiconductors” banner can be a part of sector-specific tariffs to come back within the subsequent month or two.
“So, these are coming quickly. You should not assume that is actually exterior of it. Actually consider it as being included within the semiconductor house,” Lutnick mentioned of the newly exempt product classes.
Such items are nonetheless topic to tariffs associated to a nationwide emergency Trump has declared on fentanyl trafficking, the president said Sunday on Truth Social.
“We’re looking at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN within the upcoming Nationwide Safety Tariff Investigations,” Trump added within the publish.
