Trump imposes 15% tariff on polysilicon to protect AI chip production

US President Donald Trump has ordered a new 15% tariff on products made from polysilicon, a critical material for manufacturing semiconductors for artificial intelligence processing, currently dominated by China. The measure takes effect on December 4 and aims to strengthen the competitiveness of American chip and solar panel supply chains in the field of artificial intelligence and renewable energy. The executive order also establishes minimum import prices for polysilicon and its derivatives. The material is essential in manufacturing semiconductors vital for AI data centers and solar power generation. The United States operates only two major polysilicon factories: Hemlock Semiconductor in Michigan and Wacker Chemie in Tennessee. China, the world's largest producer, protested the measures, arguing that American protectionism will harm global competitiveness.