# U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a proclamation to address national security concerns related to semiconductor imports.

*semiconductor · news · 2026-01-17 · Newsmax*

## Key points

- The new U.S. 25% tariff currently targets advanced AI chips like Nvidia's H200 and AMD's MI325X.
- South Korean memory chips, the main semiconductor export, are excluded from the first-phase tariffs.
- Commerce Secretary warned South Korean and Taiwanese chipmakers may face up to 100% tariffs unless they invest in U.S. production.
- The White House clarified that chips used in U.S. data centers and several other sectors are exempt from tariffs for now.
- There is uncertainty if a second phase may expand tariffs to more semiconductor products in the future.

**Companies:** Nvidia, AMD
**Countries:** South Korea, United States, Taiwan

[Read the full story on Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/south-korea-tariff-us-chip/2026/01/17/id/1242506/)

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