US plans to require a 1:1 ratio of domestically made to imported chips, WSJ reports

The US is planning to ask chip companies to manufacture the same number of semiconductors domestically as their customers import from overseas producers, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

 

Companies that do not maintain a 1:1 ratio over time would have to pay a tariff, the report said, citing people familiar with the plan.

 

US President Donald Trump said last month his administration would impose a tariff of about 100% on imports of semiconductors but it would not apply to companies that were manufacturing in the US or had committed to do so.

 

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick floated the idea with semiconductor executives, telling them it might be necessary for economic security, the Journal said.

 

The White House and the US Commerce Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

 

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