Our customers rely on AERI for innovative strategies to navigate the existing and impending tariffs on semiconductors. In an ABC News interview, President Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, indicated that broad “semiconductor tariffs” are expected within “a month or two.” Previous White House announcements excluding semiconductors from tariffs have led to confusion. Secretary Lutnick clarified that this exclusion was never meant to be permanent. Semiconductors, along with pharmaceuticals, lumber, and some metals, were temporarily exempted for specific reasons. Contrary to the belief that there would be no future tariffs, Lutnick stated that these critical products will be targeted with “Sectoral Tariffs” currently being calculated.
As Trump has emphasized since his presidential campaign, semiconductors are vital to America’s national security and prosperity. The country cannot depend on foreign sources for chips, as any disruption in the semiconductor supply chain due to war or catastrophe would jeopardize critical infrastructure. Given the administration’s stance, it is crucial to prepare for tariffs on most semiconductors.
5 Ways to Avoid Semiconductor Tariffs
AERI can assist its customers by:
- For customers outside the U.S., or those in the U.S. who can utilize international contract manufacturers, we can ship directly to your international locations, avoiding U.S. tariffs.
- AERI can purchase parts in advance of the tariffs on your behalf, store them in our warehouse, and schedule shipments for just-in-time manufacturing.
- AERI can locate parts already in the U.S. at one of our many OEM partners, thus avoiding tariffs.
- If your usual sources, such as authorized distributors or direct manufacturers, have added tariff fees or raised prices, we can find parts made in more tariff-favorable locations, like the Philippines instead of China.
- AERI can help your engineering team find alternative manufacturers in countries with more favorable tariffs.
Let us help you navigate the global tariff landscape. Contact one of our Search Experts and we’ll keep your production lines moving!
Robb Hammond, founder and president of AERI (American Electronic Resource, Inc.). Founding member and former committee chair of the SAE AS6081 Standard created for the avoidance of counterfeit electronic components. Robb founded AERI in Costa Mesa, California, in 1994 as an independent distributor of hard-to-find, obsolete and allocated electronic components. AERI is AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015 and AS6081 certified, tests to AS6171 standards, and inspects every part in its in-house QC lab before it ships. Robb writes about electronic component shortages, sourcing strategy and counterfeit avoidance.
