Billion-dollar impact: Trump’s new tariffs could hit US chipmakers

US semiconductor equipment makers could lose more than $1 billion annually if the Trump administration imposes new import tariffs, Reuters reported, citing government and industry sources.

The biggest players at risk include Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA, each of which could lose up to $350 million annually, according to preliminary industry estimates. For smaller companies such as Onto Innovation, the potential loss could be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Despite a temporary pause in the implementation of the tariff policy announced in April, the Trump administration is not abandoning plans to increase economic pressure while stimulating the development of domestic production. An investigation into imports of chip manufacturing equipment was reportedly initiated this week, which could be a step towards introducing new restrictions.

In addition to the direct financial losses from reduced international sales, companies are forced to consider additional costs of reorienting supply chains, finding alternative sources of high-tech components and increasing the administrative burden of complying with the new regulations.

In response to the potential risks, representatives of key industry companies have already held meetings with White House officials and members of the US Congress. These consultations were facilitated by SEMI, the international association of semiconductor equipment manufacturers. However, the companies themselves have so far refrained from public comment or did not respond to media requests.

It is worth noting that the Joe Biden administration previously pursued a policy of strict export restrictions, in particular on the supply of advanced technologies to China, in order to curb the development of the artificial intelligence and military research industries there. Trump's likely return to an active tariff strategy could not only exacerbate competition but also have far-reaching economic consequences for the American microelectronics industry itself.