On Thursday, August 7, 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 hold 96% of the global production of polysilicon.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the solar industry is the primary consumer of polysilicon, while semiconductor chips accounted for 2.4% of annual consumption in 2025. The tariff is part of broader efforts to address trade imbalances and supply chain dependencies related to China.

The announcement was made in New York and reflects ongoing tensions in trade relations between the US and China.

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