European Chip Stocks Surge Amid U.S. Tariff Cap Confirmation.

European semiconductor stocks rose despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on chips. Trump planned to impose a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors but promised exemptions for companies relocating production to the US. Major chipmakers TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix confirmed their chips would not face additional tariffs, providing relief to equipment suppliers like ASML and ASMI. EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill stated that US chip exports will be subject to a 15% tariff cap.

European semiconductor stocks experienced a rise on Thursday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on imported chips. The tariffs, set at 100%, were intended to apply to all semiconductors entering the United States, but Trump promised exemptions for companies that relocate production to the U.S. [2]

Major chipmakers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Samsung, and SK Hynix confirmed that their chips would not face additional tariffs, providing relief to equipment suppliers like ASML and ASM International. [3]

The European Union (EU) Commission spokesperson Olof Gill stated that U.S. chip exports from the EU would be subject to a 15% tariff cap, regardless of other tariffs imposed by the U.S. on other exporters. [3] This reassurance helped stabilize the market and led to a positive reaction from investors.

Global technology stocks, including Apple, Samsung, and SK Hynix, surged following Trump's announcement, with Apple's stock rising by 3.3% in premarket trading. [4] The exemptions for companies committing to U.S. manufacturing significantly reduced the risk of higher tariffs for these major players.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Trump's tariff policies, investors seemed to view the announced exemptions as a significant relief. The PHLX Semiconductor Index (SOX) rose by 1.2%, while individual stocks such as Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO) also saw gains. [2]

The rise in European semiconductor stocks reflects the market's confidence in the announced exemptions and the EU's commitment to maintaining a 15% tariff cap on chip exports. This development highlights the resilience of the semiconductor industry in the face of geopolitical uncertainties.

References:
[1] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/european-stocks-rise-as-earnings-take-center-stage:-markets-wrap/89789172
[2] https://www.investopedia.com/trump-threatens-100-percent-semiconductor-tariff-why-chip-stocks-are-still-rising-11786731
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/DJN_DN20250807004574:0-eu-says-chip-exports-to-u-s-will-have-15-tariff-ceiling-despite-new-levies/
[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/apple-leads-surge-global-tech-shares-after-trump-tariff-relief-2025-08-07/