Trump's chip import tax plan gets sharp response from Commerce head
Top commerce official criticized ex-presidents plan to tax foreign chips instead of supporting US makers. Current grant system helps protect national security and domestic production needs
At the defense forum in Simi Valley last winter Gina Raimondo strongly pushed back against Donald Trumps ideas about chip-making policy. The commerce secretary (who leads US tech-manufacturing programs) called the ex-presidents plan super-bad for the country
The debate focused on high-tech manufacturing: Trump wants import taxes while current policy gives money to US chip-makers. Raimondo explained why switching to tariffs would hurt Americaʼs tech independence; the current grant-based approach helps build up local production
The commerce chief pointed out key problems with import fees:
- Makes chips more expensive for everyone
- Doesnt help build US factories
- Could damage military supply chains
- Might slow down tech growth
The forum which brings together defense-industry leaders Congress members and military chiefs‚ showed how chip-making became a national-security issue. Local production means America dont need to rely on foreign-made parts for its defense systems and economy
