White House proclamation sets semiconductor import adjustments and a 25% duty on certain advanced chips

WASHINGTON — A presidential proclamation issued January 14, 2026 lays out a two-phase plan to “adjust” imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related products after a Commerce Department investigation concluded that current import levels and circumstances threaten to impair U.S. national security.

Section 232 finding: chips as critical infrastructure and defense inputs

The proclamation states that semiconductors are essential to U.S. economic and military strength and to critical infrastructure sectors, and argues that domestic capacity is insufficient to meet demand. It says the United States consumes roughly a quarter of the world’s semiconductors while fully manufacturing only about 10% of the chips it requires, leaving the country heavily dependent on foreign supply chains.

The document also frames advanced chips used in artificial intelligence and data centers as especially sensitive, describing import dependence as a national security risk if supply chains are disrupted.

A 25% duty on “Covered Products,” with carve-outs

As an initial step, the proclamation authorizes an immediate 25% ad valorem duty on a narrow category of advanced computing chips and certain derivatives listed in an annex. The tariff is described as effective for goods entered for consumption (or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption) on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on January 15, 2026.

The proclamation also describes multiple exceptions, including imports for use in U.S. data centers, repairs or replacements performed in the United States, research and development, certain startup uses, specified consumer or civil industrial applications, and other uses the Commerce Secretary determines contribute to strengthening the U.S. technology supply chain or domestic manufacturing capacity.

What comes next

The plan envisions continued negotiations with foreign jurisdictions in the first phase, followed by a potential broader tariff regime after negotiations conclude. It also mentions a possible tariff offset concept intended to provide preferential treatment for companies investing in U.S. semiconductor production and parts of the domestic supply chain.