Apple positioned to dodge 100% tariff on semiconductors as U.S. manufacturing becomes key requirement

President Donald Trump announced today a sweeping 100% tariff on imported semiconductors, setting a new tone for U.S. trade policy centered around domestic production. But tech giants with a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint, like Apple, are poised to sidestep the impact.

During a press event at the White House, Trump made it clear: companies that have already begun building in the United States or have made formal commitments to do so will not face the tariff. This clause likely protects Apple, which recently expanded its U.S. manufacturing plans to a record $600 billion. CEO Tim Cook was present at the event, underscoring the company’s close coordination with federal policy moves.

While Apple’s chips are currently produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the company has increasingly worked to localize key parts of its operations. TSMC itself is constructing a large-scale fabrication facility in Arizona, adding further insulation for Apple as new trade barriers take shape.

Trump warned that exemptions won’t be permanent without proof of follow-through. Companies that delay or fail to meet their U.S. production promises may face retroactive penalties. Although no enforcement date was given for the tariffs, the message was clear: tech supply chains that don’t adapt will pay.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign chip dependencies and the geopolitical pressure surrounding advanced manufacturing. For Apple, continued alignment with American industrial goals may not just be a strategic advantage it could be essential to avoiding major cost increases in the years ahead.