Trump Imposes 15% Tariff on Polysilicon Imports in Move Targeting China

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon products, a key material used in semiconductors and solar panels, in a move that is expected to affect China, the world's largest producer of polysilicon, Osmond Chia reported for BBC News.

Polysilicon is a critical raw material used in semiconductor and solar-panel manufacturing as the U.S. seeks to reduce its dependence on Chinese supply chains.

The order also establishes minimum import prices for polysilicon and related products.

The measures follow a national security investigation into overseas production of the material and are intended to support U.S. manufacturers facing increasing competition from China.

The United States produced approximately 50% of the world's polysilicon in 2005, but its share has since fallen to about 2%, according to the report.

Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie are among the major producers operating in the U.S.

China's embassy in Washington criticized the move, saying it "seriously disrupts" trade between the two countries. Beijing said it would take measures to protect Chinese companies and accused Washington of using state power to target Chinese businesses.

Trump said in the executive order that he had accepted recommendations from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to impose minimum import prices and a 15% tariff on polysilicon and related products.