The AI industry sent a stark warning to the White House on Thursday, saying the Trump administration’s proposed tariff on imported chips would hit American consumers at a time when household budgets are already tight. The letter, signed by dozens of leading AI firms, warned that prices for everyday tools—smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, connected devices and vehicles—could rise sharply, limiting access to AI‑powered applications.
“Consumer devices are the primary interface through which Americans access AI‑powered tools. AI only delivers on its promise when people can actually use it—and tariffs that price consumers out of the device market would slow AI adoption at the very moment the United States is positioned to lead,” the letter read.
Industry leaders also cautioned that tariffs could delay new product launches, shrinking the variety of choices available to U.S. shoppers. A slowdown in demand for popular tech, they argue, would further dampen innovation and could lock the United States into a lagging position in the global AI race.
Sources told Politico that the administration may offer limited tariff relief, but only if foreign chipmakers commit to investing in U.S. manufacturing. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to the report, favors tying any exemptions to investments by firms such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). The administration appears to be considering a phased rollout of tariffs, perhaps to avoid a backlash during the holiday shopping season, which historically influences approval ratings.
Beyond consumer impact, economists warned that the tariffs would push up costs for U.S. chip designers who rely on overseas fabs. Companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, which depend on foreign foundries, could see their margins squeezed. Apple, too, might feel the pressure as foreign rivals that evade the tariffs gain a pricing advantage.
Meanwhile, Chinese chip suppliers could stand to benefit if they redirect business away from the United States to avoid the new duties, potentially reshaping global supply chains.
The move comes as the data‑center buildout continues to strain semiconductor supplies, a shortage projected to last through 2027. Gartner recently forecast that, despite the scarcity, global semiconductor revenue will hit $1.6 trillion in 2026—far earlier than many analysts expected.
If enacted, the tariffs would represent a “single dumbest way imaginable” to tax chips, according to the AI industry’s letter, and could undermine the United States’ goal of leading the AI revolution.
Cet article a été rédigé avec l'assistance de l'IA.
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