Tariffs Disrupt Semiconductor Supply Chains, US Industry Faces Rising Risks

President Trump’s tariffs are impacting various sectors of the U.S. economy, including Wisconsin’s manufacturing and agricultural industries, as discussed in an upcoming panel hosted by WisPolitics and the Wisconsin Technology Council. Companies like Kimball Electronics and Applied Materials have reported significant risks related to increased tariffs and trade policy uncertainties, which affect their supply chains, costs, and competitiveness. The semiconductor industry faces particular challenges, with President Trump suggesting tariffs up to 300 percent on semiconductors, a move criticized by experts who warn it could damage the global semiconductor ecosystem. Meanwhile, the federal government, through the CHIPS Act and potential new investments, is actively seeking to bolster the U.S. semiconductor sector despite trade tensions and tariff threats. Industry observers are closely monitoring how these tariffs and government interventions will shape market competition and technological innovation going forward.