US weighs new semiconductor tariffs amid AI infrastructure race

The United States is reportedly weighing a new round of tariffs on the semiconductor sector, a move that signals a potential shift in trade policy as global technology giants compete for dominance in the artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.

According to reports from CNBC, the US government is currently considering the implementation of these tariffs specifically targeting the chip industry. The development occurs at a critical juncture where major technology companies are racing to outpace China in the construction of AI infrastructure, a sector increasingly viewed as vital to future economic and technological leadership.

This potential trade action comes against a backdrop of broader US tariff measures. Just days earlier, on 24 August 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff increase on Canadian auto imports. That separate measure is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027, applying to Canadian cars, trucks, and auto parts.

While the semiconductor tariffs are linked to the intensifying geopolitical and trade landscape, specific details remain unclear. No official announcement or legislative action has yet been confirmed, meaning the status of the measure remains under active consideration rather than being finalised.

Investors and industry observers will be watching closely for any official confirmation from Washington. The lack of a defined rate, scope, or effective date for the potential semiconductor tariffs introduces an element of uncertainty into the capital markets, particularly for firms heavily invested in the AI supply chain.

The move suggests that the US is looking to leverage trade policy to maintain its competitive edge in the high-stakes race against China, where control over advanced semiconductor technology is seen as a key driver of the AI infrastructure buildout.