Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to protect the American polysilicon industry, a critical component in semiconductor manufacturing, from foreign competition on Thursday. The move is aimed at shielding the U.S. industry from foreign entities perceived as threats.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the executive order is part of a broader effort by the United States to maintain its technological supremacy amidst growing competition with China in areas such as artificial intelligence. The specifics of the order remain undisclosed.

White House Staff Secretary William Scharf described the proclamation as a series of trade and tariff actions under Section 232. These measures are designed to bolster domestic polysilicon production and shield it from international dumping practices and offshore threats. Scharf emphasized the importance of onshoring manufacturing capacity to safeguard critical American industries.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the significance of polysilicon as a foundational material for silicon wafers used in AI chips. He stressed the need to localize the supply chain to prevent Chinese dumping and to implement tariffs that encourage domestic production.