empty
16.07.2025 12:33 PM
Trump Prepares Tariffs on Semiconductors and Pharmaceuticals

Yesterday, the U.S. stock market declined, while the U.S. dollar strengthened further following President Donald Trump's announcement that he plans to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical products and semiconductors in the near future.

This image is no longer relevant

"Most likely, we'll start with a low tariff at the end of the month and give pharmaceutical companies a year or so to adjust, then raise the tariffs very high," Trump told reporters on Tuesday upon returning to Washington after attending an AI summit in Pittsburgh. Trump also stated that the timeline for semiconductor tariffs would be "similar," and that imposing tariffs on chips would be "easier," without providing additional details.

At a cabinet meeting earlier this month, Trump said he intended to introduce a 50% tariff on copper in the coming weeks and anticipated raising tariffs on pharmaceuticals to as much as 200%, since companies had been given a year to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Trump has already announced investigations under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act regarding pharmaceuticals, claiming that the influx of imported goods threatens national security.

However, analysts note that any tariffs could immediately affect drugmakers like Eli Lilly & Co., Merck & Co., and Pfizer Inc., which manufacture medications overseas—potentially leading to higher prices for American consumers. The same applies to Trump's proposed tariffs on semiconductors, which are expected to impact not only chipmakers but also popular consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones from Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.

Clearly, if tariffs are imposed, overseas manufacturing—which has helped reduce production costs—could become less viable, inevitably impacting pricing strategies and the affordability of medications for U.S. consumers. Whether companies will absorb some of the extra costs or pass them on to buyers remains to be seen. Recent U.S. inflation data suggests that American companies are already shifting some of their increased costs onto consumers. The question is to what extent this will continue.

A similar situation is unfolding in the semiconductor sector. Trump's tariff plans could affect not just chipmakers but also end-users who rely on electronics in daily life. Rising prices for laptops and smartphones from Apple and Samsung could negatively impact demand and the global competitiveness of U.S. companies.

Yesterday, Trump also announced an agreement with Indonesia to reduce a previously declared 32% tariff to 19%. As part of the deal, Indonesia agreed to purchase $15 billion worth of U.S. energy products, $4.5 billion in agricultural goods, and 50 Boeing Co. aircraft.

Trump further stated that he may finalize "two or three" trade agreements with other countries before implementing the so-called reciprocal tariffs scheduled to take effect on August 1, noting that a deal with India is among the most likely outcomes.

Earlier, the U.S. president also said that European Union officials—facing a potential 30% tariff—would meet with American negotiators this week.

EUR/USD Technical Outlook:At the moment, buyers need to think about reclaiming the 1.1625 level. Only then will it be possible to target a test of 1.1660. From there, a move toward 1.1690 becomes possible, although doing so without support from major players will be quite difficult. The final upward target would be the high at 1.1720. In the event of a decline, I expect serious buyer activity only around 1.1590. If there are no buyers there, it would be prudent to wait for a new low at 1.1550 or consider opening long positions from 1.1495.

GBP/USD Technical Outlook:Pound buyers need to reclaim the nearest resistance level at 1.3420. Only then will it be possible to aim for 1.3464, a level that will be difficult to break above. The furthest upward target would be the 1.3500 level. If the pair declines, bears will attempt to take control at 1.3375. If successful, a break of that range would deal a significant blow to the bulls and push GBP/USD toward the 1.3335 low, with a possible extension to 1.3290.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Summary
Urgency
Analytic
Pavel Vlasov
Start trade
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Uncertainty over the timing of the Bank of Japan's next rate hike continues to weigh on the yen, while dollar bulls remain in control ahead of Fed Chair Powell's speech

Irina Yanina 14:12 2025-08-22 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

For the second day in a row, gold maintains a negative dynamic, trading near the 100-day simple moving average (SMA), which was tested three days ago. Traders have scaled back

Irina Yanina 13:09 2025-08-22 UTC+2

German Economy Contracts More Than Expected

Although Germany's economy shrank in the second quarter more sharply than initially estimated, the euro ignored the data and even recovered slightly ahead of the summer's most significant event —

Jakub Novak 12:37 2025-08-22 UTC+2

The annual conference of the Federal Reserve System has started

The Federal Reserve's annual conference, organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, began yesterday with a dinner for central bank leaders, economists, and journalists

Jakub Novak 12:30 2025-08-22 UTC+2

Trump Targets Another Federal Reserve Official

While traders and investors await Jerome Powell's speech today at the Jackson Hole symposium, President Donald Trump's campaign to oust members of the Federal Reserve continues. This time the focus

Jakub Novak 12:25 2025-08-22 UTC+2

The Market Tried on Red

Good news is turning into bad news for the U.S. stock market. The strongest manufacturing activity in three years, combined with hawkish comments from FOMC officials, triggered the fifth consecutive

Marek Petkovich 10:28 2025-08-22 UTC+2

Markets Expect Significant Changes in Fed Monetary Policy (Possible Upside Reversal in #SPX and Gold Prices)

Today's key event—likely not only for the day, but for the coming years—will be the speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Markets expect a programmatic statement from

Pati Gani 09:27 2025-08-22 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on August 22? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

No macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Friday, except for the third estimate of Germany's Q2 GDP. This is a secondary report, as the market is already mentally prepared for another

Paolo Greco 07:12 2025-08-22 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – August 22. Trump Continues to Pressure the Fed

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair also traded very weakly, despite the entry of macroeconomic and fundamental information into the market during the day. We will cover the macroeconomic releases

Paolo Greco 04:19 2025-08-22 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – August 22. Fed Minutes: Is the Dollar Getting a Ghostly Chance?

The EUR/USD currency pair on Thursday once again traded with minimal volatility and a complete unwillingness to move in any direction. While in the first three trading days

Paolo Greco 04:19 2025-08-22 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.