The United States will impose new tariffs on semiconductor chips imported from China starting June 23, 2027, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. At present, these chips face 0% import duty.
The final tariff rate will be announced at least 30 days before implementation. The delayed timeline is designed to give U.S. chipmakers time to expand domestic production capacity.
This effort is supported by a $52 billion semiconductor funding expansion included in the Big Beautiful Budget Act, aimed at strengthening U.S. manufacturing and reducing reliance on Chinese supply.
The decision follows a year-long investigation into Chinese semiconductor imports that began under the Biden administration. The move signals a tougher U.S. stance on China’s chip industry while focusing on long-term supply chain security.
China Strongly Opposes US Chip Tariffs
China’s Foreign Ministry said it firmly opposes the U.S. decision, calling it an indiscriminate use of trade measures and an unreasonable attempt to suppress Chinese companies.
Beijing urged the United States to correct what it described as “wrong practices,” warning that the tariffs undermine fair competition and violate basic market principles.
China also warned that such measures could disrupt global industrial and supply chains, increase uncertainty for companies, and harm the broader global economy.
Nvidia to Ship H200 AI Chips to China in 2026
Separately, Nvidia has confirmed plans to ship between 5,000 and 10,000 H200 modules to China in mid-February 2026, according to sources cited on December 24. This equals roughly 40,000 to 80,000 AI chips for approved Chinese customers.
Nvidia said these shipments will not affect global supply, easing concerns about AI chip shortages in other regions. The company added that all deliveries will fully comply with existing export regulations and are limited to authorized clients.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is expected to visit China in January 2026. The China-specific H2008 module is priced at around 1.4 million yuan, slightly higher than the standard H200 version.
Why This Matters
These developments highlight the growing divide between U.S. trade policy and global semiconductor demand. While Washington is tightening controls to protect domestic manufacturing, major chipmakers continue to supply China under current rules, keeping global AI and semiconductor supply chains closely interconnected.
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