White House says 25% semiconductor tariffs a 'phase one' action

The US Commerce Department's 25 per cent national ​security tariff on ‌certain high-end semiconductors ⁠announced ‌on Wednesday is a "phase one" action to protect the sector ​and could be followed by other announcements pending ‌negotiations ‌with other countries and ⁠companies, a White House official said on Thursday.

The ⁠official, speaking ⁠on condition of ‌anonymity, ‌said President Donald Trump has previously threatened a ‍100 per cent tariff on chips not made in the US as he seeks to build up semiconductor ​manufacturing.