US trade officials determined that China should be punished for employing unfair tactics to dominate the semiconductor industry, but will wait 18 months to impose tariffs, American authorities said Tuesday.
A US Trade Representative investigation concluded China’s targeting of semiconductors “for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts US commerce and thus is actionable,” the agency said in a public notice.
The current tariff level of 0 will be increased “in 18 months on June 23, 2027 to rate to be announced not fewer than 30 days prior to that date,” USTR said.
The USTR’s “Section 301” probe concluded that China had employed “increasingly aggressive and sweeping non-market policies” to dominate semiconductors that have included “massive and persistent” state support of private actors and “wage-suppressing labor practices.”
The USTR did not respond to an AFP query on the reason for the 18-month timeframe on tariffs. (AFP)
