Trump Administration Plans New Wave of Tariffs on Semiconductors: These Chip Stocks Are Affected

The Trump Administration announced on August 7, 2025, tariffs of 100 percent on imported semiconductors – one of the most aggressive trade measures in recent U.S. history. At the same time, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded with a 100-billion-dollar commitment to U.S. manufacturing, which secured the company exemption status.

Tariff strategy with targeted exceptions

The announced semiconductor tariffs supplemented a tariff wave already implemented in spring 2025. In April 2025, the Trump Administration had imposed tariff rates between 10 and 50 percent on goods from dozens of trading partners. Smartphones, computers, and other electronic products had been exempted from the reciprocal tariffs – a measure that initially provided relief to technology manufacturers.

The new semiconductor offensive targeted a different level of the supply chain. Trump, however, formulated a clear exemption rule: companies that manufacture in the U.S. or commit to doing so should be exempted from the tariffs. This regulation created a two-tier system among chip buyers.

Apple secures itself through billion-dollar investment

Apple announced on August 6, 2025 – one day before the official tariff announcement – a 100-billion-dollar program for U.S. manufacturing. The measure expanded Apple's total commitment over four years to 600 billion dollars. The timing was strategically chosen: the critical September iPhone presentation and the subsequent holiday shopping season were approaching.

The so-called American Manufacturing Program (AMP) includes partnerships with Corning, Texas Instruments, Samsung, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Apple's partners produced over 19 billion chips for Apple devices in 2025. The company planned to directly hire 20,000 employees in the U.S., primarily in research, development, chip design, and AI development.

Manufacturing facilities were established in Arizona, Texas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. A 500-million-dollar contract with MP Materials secured the supply of rare-earth magnets for advanced components. Apple aimed for an end-to-end silicon supply chain in the U.S., including advanced chip packaging.

Trump commented on Apple's engagement: "He's making that kind of investment nowhere else in the world, not even close." Despite exemption status, Apple anticipated tariff costs of 1.1 billion dollars in the quarter following the announcement – an indication that the exemption did not eliminate all cost risks.

Nvidia also receives exemption status

Nvidia also received an exemption from Trump's tariffs in April 2025. Specific details about the chip designer's own manufacturing commitments or strategic measures were not communicated in public sources. However, the exemption status suggests agreements with the Administration.

Competitive distortion in favor of well-capitalized companies

The tariff structure with exemption rules favors companies that can mobilize three-digit billion-dollar amounts for production relocations. Apple had systematically built a diversified supply chain over five years during the COVID pandemic to reduce China dependency. This preparatory work gave the company flexibility in responding to tariff policy.

Most iPhones intended for the U.S. market were manufactured in India in 2025, with critical components sourced from global sources. Smaller competitors without comparable financial resources or established supply-chain alternatives are likely to face higher compliance costs.

Classification for investors

The tariff announcements from August 2025 are now over a year in the past. For investors in the DACH region, the question arises as to what long-term impacts have materialized. Apple demonstrated that strategic planning ahead and financial strength can mitigate regulatory risks. The exemption strategy prevented acute strain during the highest-revenue quarter.

Nvidia also benefited from exceptions, without specific compensation being publicly documented. The lack of transparency regarding exemption rules makes it difficult to assess which chip stocks remain affected beyond the two companies mentioned. Investors should review whether U.S. manufacturing capacity exists or has been announced for chip suppliers and smaller semiconductor companies.

The original 100-percent tariff threat primarily served as a negotiation tool. The actual implementation and subsequent development in 2026 are not evident from the available sources. More recent information is required for a current assessment of the tariff situation and the impact on specific chip stocks.