The US wants to build more of the materials that power solar panels and computer chips at home. President Donald Trump says the latest trade move will protect American factories, but it could also reshape global supply chains.
President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at protecting America’s polysilicon industry, taking another step in his administration’s effort to reduce the country’s dependence on Chinese imports.
Polysilicon is a key material used to make solar panels and semiconductors, two industries that have become increasingly important as demand for artificial intelligence and clean energy continues to grow. The White House says the move is designed to strengthen US manufacturing and protect industries it considers vital to national security.
Under the order, the US will introduce a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon products and set minimum import prices to prevent foreign suppliers from selling below what the administration considers fair market levels. The measures are expected to take effect on December 4.
The proclamation states that the action will “help ensure the commercial viability of United States production of polysilicon and its derivatives that is necessary to meet United States economic and national security requirements.”
The US currently has only two major polysilicon production facilities, operated by Hemlock Semiconductor in Michigan and Wacker Chemie in Tennessee. Both companies are expected to benefit if domestic production expands under the new policy. Industry groups also welcomed the decision, saying it could encourage more investment in American manufacturing.
SEE ALSO: Open vs. Closed AI: The Defining Debate Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
Still, not everyone is fully satisfied. Some US solar manufacturers had pushed for the tariffs to begin sooner, arguing that the delayed rollout gives Chinese producers extra time to increase shipments into the American market before the new rules take effect. The administration, however, is expected to keep its original timeline.
As competition between Washington and Beijing stretches beyond trade into technology and artificial intelligence, the latest order shows that the battle is no longer just about finished products. It’s increasingly about controlling the raw materials that power the industries of the future.
