On Thursday, August 7th, 2026, the Trump administration announced it will impose a 15% tariff and a minimum price on imports of polysilicon, a critical raw material used in solar panels and semiconductor chips. This move aims to push back against China, whose companies currently hold 96% of global production of polysilicon, a key material for both industries.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the solar industry is the primary consumer of polysilicon, while semiconductor chips accounted for 2.4% of annual polysilicon consumption in 2025. The tariffs reflect ongoing concerns about supply chain dependencies and trade imbalances involving China.

The announcement was reported from New York and highlights the US government's efforts to address trade and industrial policy challenges related to critical materials.

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