Trump imposes 25% tariffs on key AI chips from Nvidia and AMD, citing national security and supply chain concerns.

President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on imports of certain high-performance AI chips, including Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X, citing national security concerns. The move, effective January 15, 2026, targets semiconductors that do not support U.S. technology supply chain expansion or domestic manufacturing, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign production, particularly in Taiwan. Exemptions apply for chips used in U.S. data centers, research, startups, consumer and industrial applications, and public sector uses. The tariffs, enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will remain in place unless modified or ended. The action is part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and national security.