Trump’s tariffs apply to ASML gear

It looks like chipmakers such as Intel and TSMC will have to pay 20 percent more for the gear of ASML, ASM and other non-US semiconductor equipment manufacturers – if they want to install it in a US fab, that is. Although various semiconductors are exempt from the 20 percent tariff on EU products announced by the Trump administration last week, semiconductor manufacturing equipment isn’t mentioned on a list of exemptions.

The US has already implemented a baseline 10 percent tariff on nearly all products. Dozens of countries face additional tariffs based on their trade balance with the US. These come into effect on 9 April and stack on top of existing product-specific tariffs. Generally speaking, US companies will have to start paying a ‘border tax’ of at least 20 percent on EU goods.