The United States has imposed 15% tariffs on polysilicon derivatives, the latest measure in a campaign to reduce dependence on Chinese materials critical to the semiconductor and solar sectors. The US-China goods trade deficit shrank by 32% in 2025, marking the first time since 2000 that China is no longer America’s largest trade deficit partner. The US share of global polysilicon production capacity collapsed from roughly 50% in 2005 to under 2% by 2024. The Trump-Xi summit of May 14-15, 2026 established a framework aimed at diversifying critical mineral supplies and redirecting trade toward allies. This trade reorientation is accompanied by growing manufacturing investments in Mexico, India, and Southeast Asia.
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